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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September 27, 2007
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This is the twenty-ninth 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 25, 2007 conference included: Pam Bennett (Clark); Barb Bloetscher (C. Wayne Ellett Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic, CWEPPDC); Joe Boggs (OSU Extension Center at Piketon/Hamilton); Cindy Burskey (Clermont); Jim Chatfield (OSU Extension Center at Wooster/Horticulture and Crop Science); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (Delaware); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Michael Loos (Cuyahoga); Becky McCann (Ag. Business Enhancement Center); Joe Rimelspach (CWEPPDC), 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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The following weather information has been summarized from data collected from September 1 - 26 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/ .
This year's weather has been a record breaking one in the Cincinnati area. There have been 52 days this year when the temperatures topped the 90F mark. Thirteen of those have been in September and have tied the monthly record. Tuesday's (09/25/07) high temperature reached 93F, breaking the1938 record.
| Weather Station |
Region of Ohio |
Ave. High Temp F |
Ave. Low Temp F |
Total Precip " |
Normal Precip " |
| Ashtabula |
NE |
76.4F |
55.4F |
2.06" |
4.2" |
| Wooster |
NE |
79.8F |
52.4F |
1.06" |
2.7" |
| Hoytville |
NW |
80.9F |
54.9F |
1.76" |
2.4" |
| Delaware |
Central |
82.2F |
54.2F |
1.67" |
2.4" |
| Piketon |
South |
87.5F |
57.7F |
2.26" |
1.7" |
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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. HAIRY TOAD LILY (Tricyrtis hirta) - This is an excellent perennial for late summer blooms. The stems are upright and arching, sometimes growing to 3'. The foliage has a nice effect in the garden during the season. Toad lilies grow in light shade to shade and do best in moist soils. They flower in late summer and into the fall with flowers arranged in branched clusters at the tips of the plants. Plant them in an area where you can see the detail of the blooms up close; the small flowers may tend to get lost in the foliage.
*WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK. SOURGUM (Nyssa sylvatica). The best season for sourgum, also known as tupelo and black gum, has now arrived. Glossy green leaves are now giving way to oranges or intense scarlets, depending on the particular plant. Sourgums are typically as medium-sized tree (30-50 feet), though they can grow much taller. In youth its form is often pyramidal but it often opens up over the years. Sourgums thrive in moist soils and make a handsome plant throughout the growing season, but over the next four weeks will unveil its most spectacular colors.
*ANNUAL PLANT OF THE WEEK. BEGONIA 'Inferno Red' (Begonia semperflorens). Inferno red begonia was a "Top Pick" in the 2006 Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Annual Plant Trials. It is an easy-to-grow wax begonia that provides outstanding color in the landscape, is larger than other wax begonias, and keeps a clean neat appearance throughout the growing season. The intense red of the flowers and the dark green glossy foliage makes this plant a standout, offering high impact color for the low maintenance landscape. Inferno red begonia averaged 18-24" in the landscape at the zoo. Begonia 'Inferno Red' was bred by Sakata Seed for its heat tolerance, landscape size and color.
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THE WEEKLY WEED
Clematis virginiana (also known as Devil's Darning Needles, Devil's Hair, Love Vine, Traveler's Joy, Virgin's Bower, Virginia Virgin's Bower, Wild Hops, and Woodbine) is a perennial vine of the Ranunculaceae family native to the United States. This vine is able to climb to 10-20ft tall. It grows on the edge of the woods, moist slopes, fence rows, in thickets and in stream banks. Hardy from Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to Georgia and Kansas, Virgin's Bower can handle weather extremes of severe cold, heat, humidity and is drought tolerant. Its leaves are alternate, pinnately divided with 5-7 leaflets, coarsely toothed, and a tendency to wrap around adjacent stems and branches for support.
Virgin's Bower produces multiple small white star shaped flowers are produced along the stems between July to September, and then many small, dry fruits each with a silky-plumose tail.
Caution should be taken around this vine due to an oily glycoside, ranunculin, in the leaves and flowers. When bruised they can irritate the eyes and throat giving rise to a flow of tears and coughing; and when applied to the skin they produce inflammation.
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BUG BYTES
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CYPRESS TWIG GALLS
Barb Bloetscher reported that while teaching at last week's Farm Science Review, she received a baldcypress sample sporting the galling handiwork of Taxodiomyia cupressiananassa, a tiny midge fly with a large scientific name. The spongy, elongated, 1/8"-1/2" long galls produced by the fly are commonly referred to as "cypress twig galls," or "cypress midge galls."
The galls are currently beginning to shrivel, and turn brown; however, they appear white throughout much of the season due to a covering of fine, powdery material. Rubbing the powder off the galls reveals their true light green color. The galls arise from the base of leaflets. Needle growth extends through the galls with the needles protruding beyond the surface of the galls. A portion of this season's growth usually extends beyond the tips of the galls.
Opening the galls will reveal the tiny, orangish-yellow midge fly larvae (maggots) that directed gall formation. Each maggot is individually housed in its own tiny compartment. The flies have two generations per year. The current second generation galls are nearing the stage where they will detach from the trees. The midge flies spend the winter as pupae in the fallen galls.
The leaflet growth extending beyond the gall will sometimes die and turn reddish brown at this time of the year, producing an unsightly appearance. Although the galls and browned-tipped foliage may reduce the aesthetic appeal of infested trees, the flies appear to cause no appreciable harm to the health of the tree. Populations are often regulated by a wide range of parasitoids that target the maggots. Therefore, insecticide applications are not recommended. Pruning and destroying galls now on small trees will reduce the number of future galls.
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RETURN OF THE RECLUSE
Joe Boggs reported that a pest control operator recently provided four living RECLUSE SPIDERS (Loxosceles spp.) for identification. The spiders had been collected in a structure in Cincinnati. Joe noted that he was thrilled with the specimens because he needed better recluse pictures for teaching, and the delicate spiders were living (not dried-up, or smashed), and they had all of their legs. BYGLers expressed their hope that he hadn't shared his enthusiasm with the pest control operator!
There are eleven species of recluse spiders that are native to the U.S., and a few non-native species that have also become established in some areas of the county. Only one species has the common name of brown recluse (L. reclusa). Although recluse spiders have been found in Ohio, they remain relatively uncommon compared to other spiders.
The recluses are medium sized spiders, and their legs and abdomen are covered in fine hairs. Their legs and cephalothorax (the part of the spider where the legs attaché) are colored in various shades of brown, from dark reddish-brown to light brown. Their abdomen is usually a light brown to beige. The spiders lack obvious markings except for a brown violin-shaped marking on their cephalothorax which gives rise to the common names of "fiddleback" or "violin" spiders. However, the marking is not always readily apparent and is faded on spiders that have recently molted.
Given their perceived "deadly" nature, recluse spiders have periodically crawled into the news over the past several years. Most of the reports were based on serious misunderstandings, misidentifications, or misdiagnoses. Based on recent research, it would appear these much maligned spiders are aptly named. They are indeed reclusive, and they seldom bite. For example, in a study in an area of the U.S. where recluse spiders are endemic, researchers caught an average of 30-45 spiders per house (one had over 2000!), yet not one person living in the infested homes had been bitten.
Management strategies for recluse spiders are no different than the management strategies for any other spider that may occur indoors. The most important thing to do is to reduce their food supply, which are insects and other arthropods. In other words, an effective insect pest management program will be an effective recluse management program. Since many spiders are commonly confused with brown recluses, "suspicious" spiders should be inserted intact (if possible) in a bottle of alcohol, and submitted to the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC) for verification.
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WHERE'S VLB?
Evidence of the presence of VIBURNUM LEAF BEETLE (VLB) (Pyrrhalta viburni) can be observed on host plants at the current time. The most likely signs of VLB infestation that one could see now on viburnum are foliar injury from both larval and adult feeding, in some cases, total defoliation, and oviposition scars on the stems of the viburnum. Of these signs, the oviposition scars are the most absolute sign that the damage on the viburnum was caused by VLB. VLB is well established in NE Ohio and is most likely spreading to new areas with each passing season. VLB is known to infest viburnum in Ashtabula, Lake, Loraine, Mahoning, Medina, and Summit Counties.
The VLB is restricted to feeding on species of Viburnum. It exhibits a strong preference for the popular arrowwood viburnums (V. dentatum), European cranberrybush viburnum (V. opulus), American cranberrybush viburnum...which may actually be European (V. trilobum), and Rafinesque viburnum (V. rafinesquianum). Other viburnums known to serve as hosts include Sargent viburnum (V. sargentii), wayfaringtree viburnum (V. lantana), nannyberry viburnum (V. lentago), and blackhaw viburnum (V. prunifolium). Particularly resistant species include Koreanspice viburnum (V. carlesii), Burkwood viburnum (V. burkwoodii), doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum var. tomentosum), Judd viburnum (V. x juddii), lantanaphyllum viburnum (V. x rhytidiphylloides), and leatherleaf viburnum (V. rhytidiphyllum).
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SWARMING ANTS
BYGLers reported receiving calls about orange bodied insects filling the air in large numbers. At this time of the year, a fairly probable identification of the flying insects is swarming winged ants. Swarming occurs at different times of the year for different species, but the last half of summer and early fall tend to be very active periods for ant swarming. Periodically, healthy, well established colonies are able to produce expendable individuals that are winged, sexually developed males and females that are pushed out of the colony to venture out on their own to initiate new colonies with very, very slim chances of success. Most will die of starvation, dehydration or will be eaten by birds, dragonflies or other predators. Though almost all will fail, just enough succeed to spread the species and ensure its survival. A likely candidate for the swarmers is the larger yellow ant (Acanthomyops interjectus).
When winged ants are observed, some get concerned that they may be termites. Termites tend to be more of a spring time swarmer, but occasionally some can be observed later in the season. There are ways of distinguishing one form the other. To tell adult swarming ants from adult termites, look closely at their bodies. Ants have a narrow "waist", like a wasp, while termites have a straighter body and no waist. Ants have four wings of unequal length (the front pair are longer than the back pair). Termites also have four wings, but these are all the same size, twice as long as their body.
Winged ants, no matter which species are easy to notice but mostly harmless. Controls are not warranted for the swarmers.
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DISEASE DIGEST
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POWDERY MILDEWS
Powdery mildew diseases are prominent this time of year, on everything from tuliptrees to Virginia creeper, from magnolia to lilac. Fortunately at this late date they are causing little damage to plant health. Heavy infestations with powdery mildew fungi can inhibit growth due, for one thing, to limiting the photosynthetic factories in plant leaves, but at this late date of the season the plant has already produced the vast majority of its food for the year. Nevertheless, these diseases are dramatic - none more so than the filmy white dramatic dusting of foliage due to POWDERY MILDEW ON WITCH-HAZEL.
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TURF TIPS
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SEEDING "RULES" SCRUTINIZED
In last week's BYGL, we provided a turfgrass seeding report that BYGLers agreed should be re-examined this week. First, a few of the seed germination times were off-the mark. For Kentucky bluegrass, seed germinates in around 21 to 28 days. Tall fescue seed germinates after about 10 to 14 days, and for perennial ryegrass, it's around 5 to 7 days. Of course, temperature and moisture plays a critical role in seed germination times; however, knowing when seedlings should appear under average conditions can be helpful in settling the fear that "nothing is happening."
Second, we should also re-examine a few of our long-held "seeding rules" in light of the historic drought currently being experienced in southwest Ohio. We have consistently reported in past BYGLs that September is the best time to seed turfgrass in Ohio, and seeding turf-type tall fescue in October increases the risk of losing tender seedlings to fall frosts and freezes. While the September - October axioms remain true for much of the state, the drought stricken southern part of the state presents a special circumstance. September in Cincinnati has been an extension of a record-breaking hot, dry August. Consequently, a significant amount of turfgrass has moved from drought dormancy to permanent dormancy...it's dead.
Following our rule not to seed tall fescue in October severely limits recovery options for tall fescue lawns. While the risk remains that the seedlings could be lost later this fall, there is no certainty that this will occur. However, it is certain that not repairing lawns damaged by the drought, the lawns will not only look bad throughout the winter, but they may also be subject to soil erosion and infestations by winter annual weeds such as chickweed, henbit, etc. The old saying, "nothing ventured, nothing gained," should be considered. Kentucky bluegrass lawns present less of a risk because bluegrass seedlings are more tolerant of freezing temperatures.
There remain a few rules that should be followed to enhance success:
- In making lawn repairs, the same species that dominates the existing lawn should be used. While a brown lawn makes it difficult to assess turfgrass loss, it is probable that some plants did not succumb, and turfgrass species tend not to get along over time. Using a different species can cause the lawn to become "patchy" in appearance.
- The grass seed should be in direct contact with the soil, but not buried. A slit-seeder provides the perfect seed delivery method for large areas. Small areas can be raked to remove dead grass and to expose the soil prior to seeding.
- Fall fertilization recommendations for Ohio include two applications, one in early-fall and one in late-fall to early winter, depending upon growing conditions. Since newly seeded turfgrass also must be fertilized, combining the general early-fall application with making a "starter" application for the new seedlings will support rapid establishment, and speed the recovery of existing grass plants not lost to the drought. A "starter" fertilizer typically has a high ratio of phosphorus (e.g. 5-10-5, or 10-20-10). Such fertilizers will satisfy the needs of both the existing grass as well as the new grass. However, the fertilizer application is not a replacement for the recommended late-fall fertilizer application that will be made once the turfgrass stops growing.
- After seeding and fertilizing, water, water, water! Turfgrass seed must be kept moist to maximize germination. This may require daily irrigation, depending upon environmental conditions. Once seedlings appear, reduce watering to a level just sufficient to support growth, but not high enough to drown the new plants. This requires close observation since the water recommendation is "as needed."
"Winter seeding" is an option being considered by some turfgrass managers. However, there are some risks. Turfgrass seed does not have "cold dormancy," so it will germinate when temperature and moisture supports germination. Seedlings could be lost if germination occurs in January or February. A less risky approach would be to consider delaying seeding until mid-to-late March.
Keep in mind that fall seeding and fertilization will not provide a complete recovery from drought damage. This is not a one-shot deal. A lawn that is been severely damaged by drought typically requires close attention the following season for the recovery to be complete. This may include re-seeding once again, and it certainly includes adhering to fertilization schedules next season.
Finally, if it is determined that the entire lawn has been lost, sodding is another option that should be considered. Although it is usually more expensive than seeding, the mature plants are not susceptible to freeze damage, and the sod provides an immediate coverage of the soil. Sodding can be done all year round, as long as roots will grow.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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EAB QUARANTINE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE FAIRFIELD COUNTY
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) expanded the state's Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine area to include Fairfield County on Tuesday, September 25, 2007. The state's quarantine, which is designed to slow the spread of the ash tree-killing insect, prohibits the movement of ash trees, parts of an ash tree, and all hardwood firewood out of infested areas. Department officials discovered an infested ash tree in a fence row near the intersection of State Route 256 and Interstate 70 in Pickerington. The tree was one of nearly 10,000 detection trees (ash trees that are stressed to attract EAB already in the area) set across the state in efforts to survey for the destructive insect. Surveyors recently began peeling the bark off these detection trees to look for EAB larvae living just beneath the bark.
Department officials quarantine counties, such as Fairfield County, once EAB is discovered to stop its spread via ash trees and firewood. It is illegal to take ash trees, parts of ash trees, and all hardwood firewood out of a quarantined county into a non-quarantined county. Violators face fines up to $4,000. It is also illegal to take these items out of the state of Ohio, per federal quarantine. Firewood dealers, businesses, or woodlot owners interested in marketing and transporting ash trees or firewood out of quarantined areas can do so only with a department-approved compliance agreement. These agreements stipulate handling practices that mitigate the spread of EAB.
Since it was first discovered in Ohio in 2003, EAB has been identified in 32 counties: Allen, Auglaize, Butler, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Defiance, Erie, Fairfield, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Sandusky, Seneca, Ottawa, Paulding, Warren, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot Counties. These counties have been quarantined to stop the movement of firewood and ash logs, which are the largest contributors to the spread of EAB. For the latest quarantine map, go to http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab/.
For more information on the latest quarantine or on firewood movement, call 1-888-OHIO-EAB.
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EAB RESEARCH UPDATE, NOVEMBER 7TH
The Ohio State University's Emerald Ash Borer Outreach Team is sponsoring an all day program, Emerald Ash Borer Research Update - What We Know and What We Need to Learn. It will be held from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm at All Occasions Catering, 6869 Waldo-Delaware Road in Waldo, OH. The registration deadline is Friday, November 2nd. Registration materials and program information is available on the ashalert website at http://ashalsert.osu.edu or by contacting the OSU Extension at Toledo Botanical Garden at 419-578-6783.
When the emerald ash borer (EAB) was discovered in North America nearly 5 1/2 years ago, it did not take long for many to realize that there was a lot to learn about this tree killing wood borer. The challenge of the lack of the knowledge quickly became an opportunity to learn through research. Join us to find out what has been learned about EAB through research. From insect biology to insecticide trials, researchers will share their findings. We are excited to have such an outstanding group of presenters able to share their day with us. Presenters include: Joe Boggs/OSU; Deb McCullough/MSU; Therese Poland/USFS; Anne Marie Smith/ODNR; Davis Sydnor/OSU; Kamal JK Gandhi/OARDC; and Dan Herms/OSU and OARDC.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS
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SECREST ARBORETUM'S AUTUMN DISCOVERY DAY
Come to Secrest Arboretum's Autumn Discovery Day, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Oct. 6, and see the unveiling of the arboretum's new Discovery Gardens. Get answers from experts to your gardening questions, and buy special plants for your yard. The free public program, held on the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center's (OARDC) Wooster campus, 1680 Madison Ave. (follow signs to the arboretum) will offer tours of the extensive new gardens, tips on attracting birds and butterflies, and entertainment (a singer and also a bagpiper).
Among the trees and shrubs for sale, all of them suited to planting in autumn: Maples, buckeyes, hollies, pawpaw, sour gum, fringe tree, dawn redwood and beautyberry.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will start at 9:30 a.m. Information about the new Discovery Pavilion, now under construction, will be provided as well, showing how research connects to the landscape and to agriculture.
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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.
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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.
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PESTICIDE LICENSE RECERTIFICATION CONFERENCES
Time to start thinking about registering for the Ohio State University Extension Pesticide Education Program's Ohio Pesticide Commercial Applicator Winter Recertification Conferences. If your applicator's license expires on September 30, 2008, 2009, or 2010 these schools are for you. The conferences will be offered this year at the following locations:
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BYGLOSOPHY
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"Climb up on some hill at sunrise. Everybody needs perspective once in a while, and you'll find it there." Robb Sagendorph
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