Pam Bennett, Barb Bloetscher, Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, Dave Dyke, Gary Gao, David Goerig, Tim Malinich, Amy Stone, and Curtis Young.
|
|
September 20, 2007
|
|
This is the Twenty-fifth 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 September 18, 2007 conference included: Pam Bennett (Clark); Joe Boggs (OSU Extension Center at Piketon/Hamilton); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (Delaware); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Tim Malinich (Lorain) Dave Shetlar (Entomology); 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/)
|
WEATHER WATCH
|
The following weather information has been summarized from data collected from September 1-18, 2007. BYGLers have selected five 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
| Weather Station |
Region of Ohio |
Ave. High Temp F |
Ave. Low Temp F |
Total Precip " |
Normal Precip " |
| Ashtabula |
NE |
74.9F |
55.2F |
1.19" |
2.9" |
| Wooster |
NE |
78.0F |
52.6F |
1.04" |
2.0" |
| Hoytville |
NW |
78.9F |
57.6F |
1.71" |
1.7" |
| Delaware |
Central |
80.7F |
54.5F |
1.67" |
1.6" |
| Piketon |
South |
84.2F |
52.6F |
0.47" |
1.8" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HORT SHORTS
|
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. PINK TURTLEHEAD (Chelone lyonii) - A late-blooming plant that provides beautiful pink flowers for the fall garden is turtlehead. It's appropriately named because the flowers, occurring terminally on the stems, resemble turtleheads. They are blooming right now in central Ohio gardens and are quite attractive. The plants get around 18-24" tall and do best in moist soils, along streams or near a water garden. They take full sun or partial shade. 'Hot Lips' has a vivid rosy-pink flower that shines in the fall sunlight; the foliage is a bronzish-green in the early spring.
*WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK. VIBURNUMS (Viburnum spp.) - This group of plants is usually more popular in the spring when they flower; fall, however, is a great time to enjoy many of the different colors of fruits produced by viburnums. In addition, many have excellent fall foliage color as well. On top of that, most of them do quite well during hot dry spells similar to the ones that many areas of Ohio experienced this summer. V. dilatatum, for instance, has beautiful cherry-red fruits that mature to a coral color into the late fall. The fall color is a blend of rich oranges and reds. 'Erie' is an excellent cultivar that has a compacted growth habit and gets around 6' tall.
V. dentatum (arrowwood) is an extremely adaptable native shrub that has true blue fruits that the birds love. Try 'Chicago Lustre' with its glossy green foliage. V. triolobum (American cranberrybush) is another native shrub that is quite large but has bright red fruit clusters. Try 'Compactum' as a smaller cultivar for the landscape.
*ANNUAL OF THE WEEK. CLEOME 'SENORITA ROSALITA' (Cleome hybrid) - This plant was the crowd favorite in the Utzinger Memorial Garden at the Farm Science Review held at the Ohio State University Molly Caren Farm near London, Ohio. Nearly 150,000 visitors are expected to tour the grounds this week and many visit the Garden. 'Senorita Rosalita' is grown from cuttings and has very little seed production. For many, this is a positive benefit as sometimes Cleome can become very aggressive in the garden. One of the nicest features about this plant is the beautiful spider-like purple flowers that last all season long. The plant gets around 3' tall and keeps its foliage all summer long. Some species of Cleome tend to drop lower foliage during the season, making them look bare. 'Senorita Rosalita' can be used in a container planting, as a mass planting in a perennial bed or in a mixed garden or cottage garden.
|
|
THE WEEKLY WEED
It's a grass! It's a moss! No, it's BIRDSEYE PEARLWORT (Sagina procumbens). This low-growing perennial weed infests landscapes, walkways and containers. It grows so low and thick it is often mistaken for a grass of moss. It is in the Caryophyllaceae family so it is related to dianthus and carnation. Leaves are thickened and grass-like up to 1/4" in length and the plant forms small rosettes of leaves. It spreads by rooting where stems touch the ground and even broken pieces of stem can root to produce a new plant.
The plant has very small flowers with green sepals. Petals, if present, are white. The plant produces large numbers of seed which begin to germinate under cool, moist conditions. Even young seedlings have extensive root systems so control may be a problem with postemergence herbicides. Pre-emergence herbicides will prevent germination of seed, but existing pearlwort should be removed prior to application to stop production of new seed.
|
|
PLANTING FOR FALL COLOR
Now is the perfect time to plant pansies, ornamental cabbage, ornamental kale, and mums to add fall color to your landscape. These plants will brighten up your gardens for many weeks to come, if not months. There are many varieties of these fall favorites available at your local garden centers. Check them out! Pansies are biennial, they will bloom once this fall and bloom one more time next spring. Some mums may overwinter if mulched well. Before too long, your garden will be the envy of neighborhood when other annuals are zapped by frost.
|
|
PLANT HARDY BULBS NOW
This is the perfect time to plant hardy bulbs for spring bloom. Hardy bulbs provide some of the earliest bloom in spring gardens. A true bulb is defined as a modified, underground stem, usually surrounded by scalelike, modified leaves, and containing stored food for the shoots enclosed within. The scales are held together by a hardened stem tissue, known as the basal plate (at the base of the bulb). Tulip, daffodil, hyacinth, and lilies are examples of true bulbs. Crocus, thought by many to be a bulb, is actually a corm.
Choose a planting site in full sun, but with protection from the hottest midday early summer sun. Consider planting under or near large deciduous trees that cast filtered shade. Plants in full sun will bloom earlier than those in partial shade. A few plants that withstand partial shade include daffodils; Triumph, Parrot, and Fosterana tulips; some hardy lilies; some Crocus; Siberian squill (Scilla spp); checkered lily (Fritillaria spp); and some windflowers (Anemone spp).
Work soil 12" deep; loose soil below the bulb is important for good root development. Incorporate three pounds of a complete fertilizer (such as a 5-10-10) per 100 square feet as you are preparing the soil. Recommended planting depths are given to the bottom of the bulb. For hyacinths, plant 6" deep; tulips, 6" or deeper; and daffodils, 6-8" deep. Smaller bulbs in these groups and the minor bulbs are planted shallower. Large bulbs should be spaced 4-6" apart; small bulbs 1-2". For a greater design effect, plant in clumps or irregular masses rather than individually. For more information, please refer to the OSU Extension FactSheet #1237-98, "Growing Hardy Bulbs." The URL address of the fact sheet is http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1237.html
|
|
THE FACTS ON FALL FOLIAGE COLOR
As autumn approaches, people become eager to watch the developing beauty of fall color produced by deciduous plants. It is very hard to predict whether or not we will have great fall color. However, it is helpful to know what causes fall color in trees and shrubs. Four leaf pigments account for leaf color and its changes in the autumn: chlorophylls, carotenoids, tannins, and anthocyanins. These pigments are found in most all leaves. Some pigments are in greater concentrations in some plants than others depending on the plant, and its growing environment. Chlorophyll gives leaves and other plant parts their green color. Throughout the growing season in a healthy tree, chlorophyll is continuously being produced and destroyed. Even though light is necessary for the formation of chlorophyll, continued exposure of new chlorophyll to sunlight, with its damaging high-energy ultraviolet wavelengths, will destroy the pigment. Hence, if a leaf is to remain green, new chlorophyll must be made constantly.
Carotenoid pigments, responsible for the yellow and orange colors, are always present in leaves, but are not visible for most of the year because there are larger amounts of green chlorophyll. As chlorophyll degrades, the yellowish colors become apparent and give leaves part of their autumn splendor as seen in Norway maple, Ohio buckeye, yellow poplar, sycamore, birch, hickory, ash, and many other trees. Tannins cause the brown hues in leaves of some oaks and other trees. The golden yellow produced in some leaves such as those of beech, result from the presence of tannins along with the yellow carotenoid pigments.
Anthocyanin pigments are responsible for the pink, red, and purple leaves of sugar and red maple, sassafras, sumac, white and scarlet oak, winged euonymus, and many other woody plants. Anthocyanins are usually not present in leaves until they are produced during autumn coloration. A few trees, however, such as 'Crimson King' Norway maple and purple European beech have reddish leaves throughout the growing season due to anthocyanins. The production of anthocyanins is favored by warm, bright, sunny days, followed by cool nights with temperatures below 45F in fall, but not freezing.
As a result of the lack of sufficient rainfall this season, many trees in regions of Southern Ohio are exhibiting fall coloration and early leaf drop right now. Northern Ohio, on the other hand, has had sufficient moisture and outstanding fall foliage color is expected to be present soon. Expect the color to peak there by mid-October this season. Follow this link for additional information: http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-FAQ-5.html
|
|
BUG BYTES
|
BORING BLACK LOCUST
Joe Boggs reported that the intense yellow blooms of GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.) are becoming spectacular in southwest Ohio. Of course, according to Joe, what really makes this weed / landscape perennial of great interest are visits by LOCUST BORERS (Megacyllene robiniae). Indeed, the coloration of this black and yellow beetle seems to be attuned to allowing the insect to dodge predators as it feeds on the pollen of yellow-flowered goldenrod.
The locust borer is a type of long-horned beetle (family Cerembycidae), so named because of their extremely long antennae. Although generally associated with producing large holes on main stems and branches of mature black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) trees, BYGL'ers have observed damaging infestations of this insect on two-inch diameter nursery stock. Damage to large trees can cause structural weakening resulting in branch and trunk breakage. Damage to the main stems of small trees can cause the trees to die.
Locust borer beetles closely resemble the PAINTED HICKORY BORER (M. caryae), a related species that also bores into black locust as well as its namesake host (Carya spp.). However, there are some very important differences that help to separate these long-horned beetles. First, both beetles are 3/4 - 7/8" long with reddish legs. They have tapering cylindrical black bodies that are covered by yellow bands and other markings. Although both have two "W"-shaped markings on their wing covers, the second "W" on the locust borer is deep yellow, and very distinct. The second "W" on the painted hickory borers is a lighter shade of yellow, and it may be discontinuous, appearing slightly broken.
The second major difference between these two species of long-horned beetles is the time of the year when the adults are active. Painted hickory borers spend the winter in the pupal stage and emerge as adults in the spring. Locust borers spend the winter has first instar larvae inside the tree in small hibernation chambers. The larvae become active in the spring to tunnel and feed through the heartwood throughout the season. Adults emerge to feed, mate, and lay eggs in late summer to early fall. Thus, insecticide applications to protect nursery stock, or small landscape trees, should be made now to prevent damage by this borer.
|
|
MONARCHS MARSHALING FOR MIGRATION
MONARCH BUTTERFLIES (Danaus plexippus) appear to be "everywhere" fluttering through fields and neighborhoods, and sipping nectar from flowers of rudbeckia, coneflower, sedum, butterfly bush, clover, and alfalfa. Although monarch butterflies may finish 2-3 broods per season in the northeastern states, this time each year, they begin to migrate south along the eastern coast for the winter. 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. With luck and smooth weather patterns, many of these stately orange and black butterflies will make the successful trip to their southern retreat. Amazingly, they fly in flocks, to the same winter roosts, often to the exact same trees that their great grandparents did last year. Most end up in a small forested area on a mountain side very near Mexico City. 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.
It is still unknown how these butterflies survive the trip south each year, or how they know the location to land. However, monarch butterfly fans study and watch them each year, marveling at their tenacity and beauty as they fly south. The peak flight for monarch butterflies in Central Ohio should be from September 15-26.
|
|
YOU SAY MANTIS, I SAY MANTID
Numerous PRAYING MANTID or MANTIS (Order: Mantodea) adults can be found hanging out on shrubs and perennials in the garden and tall weeds and crops in fields. It is the time of the season that the mantids are developing into the adult stage and can be seen more easily than in early summer when they were very tiny nymphs. As adults, mantids are large insects with some 5-6" in length. Females tend to be larger than males and their abdomens are swollen with eggs to be laid. The mantids range in color from all brown to green with brown wings to solid green. Mantids are predatory insects with raptorial forelegs. Their front set of legs are lined with spines that help them hold their prey. A curved horn-like spike also helps them catch their prey and they sometimes use this to punch at other predators. Their common name is derived from the position they lie in waiting for prey to stray within striking distance; they appear to be praying.
There are only a few species that exist in Ohio and the most common species are the Carolina mantid, a native species (Stagmomantis carolina), the European mantid, an introduced species (Mantis religiosa), and the Chinese mantid, also an introduced species (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis). The Carolina mantid is the smallest of the three and the Chinese mantid is the largest. Mantids are plentiful and are not endangered species nor protected by Ohio or federal law.
Mantids are highly touted as biological control agents; however there are usually not enough of them in one particular area to keep damaging insect populations in check. Additionally, mantids do not discriminate between destructive insects and beneficial insects. They can, in some instances, be quite destructive themselves. For instance, if they are around a beehive, they may have a real feast on honeybees going in and out of the hive. The females have been known to be rather ruthless toward their mates and consume their mate right after mating or while still in the act.
|
|
TURF TIPS
|
TO SEED OR NOT TO SEED, THAT IS THE QUESTION
September is the perfect time to seed or re-seed your lawn. If your lawn is still brown now, chances are it is not going to come back, it is dead. Do not wait any longer. Seed or over-seed right way. If it does not rain, you will have to water the lawn since grass seeds need moisture to germinate. Perennial ryegrass should germinate in 5-7 days while Kentucky bluegrass will germinate in 10-14 days. Tall fescue seeds germinate in about two weeks or longer. Soil temperatures are ideal for root development now. As September closes however, the window of opportunity closes to successfully establish a turfgrass. We recommend this due to the fact in most parts of Ohio the grass will not have sufficient time to root deep enough to survive the freeze and thaw heaving action that generally occurs to plants throughout the winter season. There is always a chance we will have a mild winter and the late seeded lawns will succeed. However, we need to remind ourselves that agriculture, is always at the mercy of mother nature.
|
|
MOLE MADNESS
Several BYGLers have reported this week and in earlier weeks receiving calls about moles and the frustrations of homeowners of not being able to get rid of them easily. Moles are members of the mammal Family: Talpidae. They live in underground burrows. They have cylindrical bodies covered in fur with small or covered eyes; the ears are generally not visible. They feed on small invertebrate animals living underground, especially earthworms. Male moles are called boars; females are called sows. A group of moles is called a labour. And sometimes, it is a real labor to get rid of the furry burrowers.
Although there are numerous mole remedies on the market, trapping has been the most reliable method of control. Mechanical traps are environmentally friendly, target specific and they work! There are two reliable trap types, the harpoon spear type and scissors type. The trick to using them is being familiar with how to set them properly without disturbing the moles to the point that they abandon the tunnel over which the trap is set and also knowing where the best place is to set the trap (one has to locate the main foraging run to set the trap).
Many home remedies have been prescribed by do-it-yourselfers such as lye, Drano, pickle juice, broken glass, red pepper, razor blades, bleach, moth balls, rose branches, human hair balls, vibrators, ultrasonic contraptions, castor bean derivatives (Mole Med), gasoline and explosives. Although these fun and game approaches may relieve frustrations, these and other home remedies have little if any value in controlling moles nor are some of them labeled for this use. However there is one new product on the market that shows promise as an alternative to mechanical traps, Talpirid (note the similarity in this product name and the mammal Family name). The active ingredient of Talpirid that is formulated to look like a earthworm is a chemical called bromethalin. According to the product's website (http://www.talpirid.com), each "worm" contains enough toxin to kill a mole within 24 hours. According to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), the chemical is considered of low human toxicity. Two draw backs to the Talpirid product are they look like Gummy worm candies and they are rather expensive. Depending on how frustrated one is, expense may not be a limiting factor.
|
|
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
|
MITES ARE TRANSITIONING
Randy Zondag reported that spider mites in his part of the state are transitioning from the "warm season" to the "cool season" types. The spider mite complex on arborvitae provides a good example of the need to be aware of changes in the dominant mite species as the season progresses. There are three different species of spider mites that will attack arborvitae, and knowing which spider mite is attacking is critical to implementing effective monitoring and management strategies.
The three spider mites that may be found on arborvitae are the ARBORVITAE SPIDER MITE (ASM) (Platytetranychus thujae), the SPRUCE SPIDER MITE (SSM) (Oligonychus ununguis), and the TWO-SPOTTED SPIDER MITE (TSSM) (Tetranychus urticae). These spider mites have overlapping host ranges, and the seasonal activity of ASM overlaps with TSSM and SSM.
TSSM is a hot, dry season mite and it dominates the scene from late-June through August. The mite usually disappears as temperatures begin to cool in September. ASM is an oddity in that it may be found during the same hot, dry period as TSSM; however, it will continue to feed into the cooler months of September and October. SSM spends the hot summer months in the egg stage, and eggs usually begin to hatch in early-September. The mites feed throughout the cool fall months, and may even remain active into December.
All spider mites feed by inserting needle-like mouthparts into host tissue and withdrawing the cell contents. Feeding damage generally appears as chlorosis, browning, or bronzing, with subsequent defoliation when damage is severe. Heavy infestations of these mites can cause serious summer, fall, or winter browning of foliage, depending upon the dominant species.
The best way to detect and differentiate these mites is to use the tried-and-true "beating tray" mite monitoring method. This tool can be a purchased piece of equipment, or simply a stick and an 8.5" x 11" tablet of white paper. Hold the white target beneath the foliage and strike the foliage several times with a stick or rod causing the mites to drop onto the white target. Next, tilt and lightly tap the collection paper or tray to allow plant debris to fall off.
Look closely for small, slow-moving dots, not much bigger than the period at the end of this sentence. These are the spider mites. The faster moving dots are likely to be predaceous mites, the good guys that feed on the spider mites. A finger can be used to "mash and smear" the mites to further distinguish the good mites from the bad. Greenish-brown streaks are "pate de SSM." ASM adults are generally pale green or yellow compared to the darker spruce spider mite. This species is smaller and more slender than SSM, and moves much more rapidly when disturbed. Their two front legs are slightly longer than those of the other species, as with SSM, ASM that also feed on juniper.
Effective management efforts include washing (syringing) mites from the foliage using a heavy stream of water, applications of soaps and oils, or applications of traditional miticides. Syringing will conserve predaceous mites, but may be a difficult endeavor on large trees or large numbers of trees. Soaps and oils are also kind to predators, but oils will wash away the blue color on Colorado blue spruce. Certain miticides such as spiromesifen (e.g. Judo), hexythiazox (e.g. Hexygon, Savey), and bifenzate (e.g. Floramite), as well as a few others, have low impacts on beneficials. As always, read and follow label directions, particularly in regards to plants included on the label.
|
|
COMING ATTRACTIONS
|
CALLING ANYONE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED ARBORIST
OSUE Greene County Master Gardeners, the Ohio Division of Forestry, and the Ohio Chapter of the International Arboriculture are sponsoring a Certified Arborist Preparation Course on Mondays from October 1 though November 12, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., in Xenia, Ohio. This class is for any individual interested in becoming and ISA Certified Arborist. Contact the Ohio Chapter of ISA at 614-771-7494 for application information.
|
|
VERMILION'S ANNUAL WOOLLYBEAR FESTIVAL
This year's festival will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2007 in Vermilion, Ohio. The Woollybear Festival is the largest one day festival in the State of Ohio. The festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. and include: 9 a.m. - Music at the reviewing stage & the YMCA World's Greatest Kid's Footrace at Vermilion High School; 10 a.m. - Big Chuck & Lil' John Caterpillar 500 Race; 11 a.m. - Kids & pets woollybear costume contest; 1:30 p.m. - Dick Goddard and the Fox 8 family for the spectacular parade featuring 20 marching bands, hundreds of animals, 2,000 marchers and many Fox 8 personalities; 3:45 p.m. - live entertainment on stage; and 5 p.m. - Woollybear Race Finals & Woollybear winter prediction. For more information visit the festival's web site at: http://vermilionohioharbourtown.homestead.com/VermilionOhioWoollyBearFestival.html .
|
|
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING IN 3Ds
OSU Extension in Delaware County proudly presents a one-day program that is entitled "Residential Landscaping in 3Ds." This program is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on October 11, 2007. It will be held in Room G35 of The Rutherford Hayes Building located at 140 North Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015. Speakers for the program are Amy Dutt of Dreamscapes Natural and Native Landscapes, Dr. Gary Gao of OSU Extension-Delaware County, and Phil Keller of Phillip Keller Landscape Designs, LLC.
This program is designed for homeowners, Master Gardeners, landscapers, garden center employees, and landscape maintenance professionals. The registration is $45.00 per person, which includes the program, refreshments, lunch, handout and a certificate of completion. The registration deadline is October 8, 2007. There will be a $5.00 late fee after that date. On-site registration may not be accepted due to limited space. Registration will be taken on a first come and first served basis. Please call Cindy Kaelber with OSU Extension in Delaware County the source of my Inspiration 740-833-2030 or email her at kaelber.1@cfaes.osu.edu for a program flyer.
|
|
2ND ANNUAL-WHY TREES MATTER FORUM
Hold the date Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at Secrest Arboretum in Wooster, OH. Come and discover the social, economic and environmental impact of trees in your community. This year's keynote speaker is Fiona Watt, New York City Parks and Recreation. She will be discussing the monetary value of New York City's Urban Forest. She will share the findings of the recent street tree inventory methods and results, and how they have applied U.S. Forest Service Research to quantify the environmental function and value of their urban forest resource. In addition, Ms. Watt will discuss how these results were critical to communicating to policy makers the importance of trees, which led to unprecedented new municipal funding for urban forestry initiatives in New York City.
|
|
BYGLOSOPHY
|
The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my Inspiration. - Claude Monet
|
|
