Pam Bennett, Barb Bloetscher, Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, David Dyke, Gary Gao, Dave Goerig, Tim Malinich, Amy Stone, and Curtis Young.
|
|
April 26, 2007
|
|
This is the fourth 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 April 24, 2007 conference included: Carolyn Allen (Clark); Pam Bennett (Clark); Joe Boggs (OSU Extension Center at Piketon/Hamilton-Clermont); Jim Chatfield (OSU Extension Center at Wooster/Hort and Crop Science); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (Delaware); Michael Loos (Cuyahoga); Tim Malinich (Lorain); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Amy Stone (Lucas); and Curtis Young (Allen). .
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 April 1-April 25, 2007. We have chosen six locations to highlight different regions of the state to be included in BYGL each week as seen in the table below. Additional, 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 |
50 |
32.7 |
NA |
2.9" |
| Wooster |
NE |
54.6 |
35.0 |
2.03" |
2.8" |
| Hoytville |
NW |
56.6 |
34.4 |
1.07" |
2.8" |
| Delaware |
Central |
56.3 |
35.1 |
2.88" |
3.2" |
| Piketon |
South |
61.0 |
38.9 |
1.95" |
2.5" |
| Jackson |
South |
60.9 |
37.5 |
2.92" |
3.3" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HORT SHORTS
|
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 149 to 336. Following is a report of GDD for several locations around Ohio as of April 24, 2007: Painesville, 149; Cleveland, 165; Toledo, 170; Canfield, 180; Lima, 188; Wooster, 202; Coshocton, 205; Delaware, 199; Columbus, 238; Springfield, 263; Dayton, 272; Cincinnati, 302; Ironton, 326; Portsmouth, 327; Piketon, 326; Marietta, 311; and Jackson, 336.
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.
Bradford callery pear, first bloom, 142; European pine sawfly, egg hatch, 144; weeping Higan cherry, first bloom, 145; P.J.M. rhododendron, first bloom, 147; chanticleer callery pear, full bloom, 149; Norway maple, full bloom, 149; inkberry leafminer, adult emergence, 150; sargent cherry, full bloom, 151; star magnolia, full bloom, 151; Allegheny serviceberry, first bloom, 153; Manchu cherry, full bloom, 155; spring snow crabapple, first bloom, 155; apple serviceberry, first bloom, 159; spruce spider mite, egg hatch, 162; Bradford callery pear, full bloom, 164; Allegheny serviceberry, full bloom, 169; saucer magnolia, full bloom, 174; P.J.M. rhododendron, full bloom, 178; boxwood psyllid, egg hatch, 179; weeping Higan cherry, full bloom, 179; Koreanspice viburnum, first bloom, 185; regent serviceberry, first bloom, 186; Japanese flowering crabapple, first bloom, 189; eastern redbud, first bloom, 191; gypsy moth, egg hatch, 192; Koreanspice viburnum, full bloom, 205; azalea lace bug, egg hatch, 206; 'Spring Snow' crabapple, full bloom, 209; common flowering quince, full bloom, 214; birch leafminer, adult emergence, 215; 'Coralburst' crabapple, first bloom, 217; elm leafminer, adult emergence, 219; common chokecherry, full bloom, 221; alder leafminer, adult emergence, 224; honeylocust plant bug, egg hatch, 230; common lilac, first bloom, 234; Ohio buckeye, first bloom, 245; common horse chestnut, first bloom, 251; hawthorn lace bug, adult emergence, 253; hawthorn leafminer, adult emergence, 260; flowering dogwood, first bloom, 263; red buckeye, first bloom, 265; blackhaw viburnum, first bloom, 269; imported willow leaf beetle, adult emergence, 274; sargent crabapple, full bloom, 298; red horsechestnut, first bloom, 304; pine needle scale, egg hatch - 1st generation, 305; cooley spruce gall adelgid, egg hatch, 308; eastern spruce gall adelgid, egg hatch, 308; common lilac, full bloom, 315; pink princess weigela, first bloom, 316; blackhaw viburnum, full bloom, 322; redosier dogwood, first bloom, 323; dwarf fothergilla, full bloom, 325; winter king hawthorn, first bloom, 328; lilac borer, adult emergence, 330; slender Deutsia, first bloom, 338; and Japanese kerria, full bloom, 342.
You can check out this website for yourself at http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/gdd/
|
|
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 each. 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: DWARF IRIS (Iris pumila). This low growing iris is a delight in perennial gardens in central Ohio at this time. The plants get 6-12" tall and come in yellows, purples, whites, blues, or bi-colored. They make great mass plantings and provide a wonderful ground cover of color in the early spring. The foliage also provided a nice textural contrast in perennial gardens after the blooms are gone.
* WOODY PLANT OF THE WEEK: OHIO BUCKEYE (Aesculus glabra). Last Friday, while at the Heritage Garden at the Ohios Governor Residence, Ohio buckeyes were observed just leafing out and the buds of the flower panicles were emerging. What a beautiful sight to see. Here is the description of our state tree from Landscape Plants for Ohio:
"Although Ohio State University's buckeyes invariable shine each fall (and also during this past March Madness), the true Ohio buckeye tree (20-40') is not for all landscapes. It is a good tree, though, for a partly-shaded naturalized area and as a specialty plant with its showy yellow-green flower panicles."
|
|
THE CHILLIN' REPORT CONTINUED
The diversity of plant reactions to Fall and Winter damage, and then the April frost and freeze events, continues to make sweeping generalizations difficult. Below are observations from BYGLers across the state.
On the plus side, many northeast and central Ohio red maples appear to truly have had their samaras zapped, never to darken garden and landscape countenances as sprouted seedlings this season. In other areas where the samaras had already hardened off adequately, this may not be the case. Some early star and hybrid magnolias that started to bloom and then were immediately browned in northeast Ohio actually had a few flower buds spared. These have now emerged and shine brightly amid the dull brown desert of damaged blooms generally in attendance.
On the darker side, crabapple foliage and the flower buds and blossoms of earlier-blooming taxa are crispy critters in many central and northern locations. There appears to be good green twig tissue underneath, but many crabapples will have a muted spring show this season: it all depends on how far along foliar and flower buds where in their development when the freeze hit.
Tim Malinich reported that the redbuds in Lorain County are flowerless this spring. About 1/4 of the amelanchier or serviceberry blooms made it through. The early cultivars of the ornamental plum had only about 15% of the blooms make it through, while the later bloomers had about 80% petals untouched for their spring show. The weeping cherries had about 20% of the blooms untouched, while the rest turned brown and dropped from tree.
Joe Boggs reported that horticulturists in southwest Ohio are anxiously awaiting plant recovery from the deep freeze. Recent warm temperatures have exposed more freeze damage rather stimulating development of new buds. Joe bemoaned finally caving in to pruning his Knock-Out roses the excised blackened foliage and stems were past hope. He also reported ornamental pears standout as blackened sentinels in the landscape. Of course, hope spring eternal. He has not observed serious damage to the pear branches, and plenty of healthy stems remain on his roses after they met the knife.
|
|
CONTROLLING INSECTS AND DISEASES IN HOME FRUIT PLANTINGS
BYGLers would like to remind our readers that fruit insects and diseases still need to be controlled whether fruit trees bear a crop or not this year. When selecting pesticides, it is very critical to READ THE PESTICIDE LABEL to make sure that the pesticide is labeled for the intended crop or plant you are treating.
There is a very good publication, OSU Extension Bulletin #780, "Diseases and Insects in Home Fruit Plantings." It has extensive lists of spray schedules and labeled pesticides for many of our common fruit crops in Ohio. You may purchase a copy of this bulletin from your local Extension office or the bulletin is also available online at http://ohioline.osu.edu/b780/index.html . For the more "serious" or commercial tree fruit growers, OSU Extension Bulletin #506A2, entitled "2007 Commercial Tree Fruit Spray Guide" can also be purchased.
|
|
WHAT TO DO WHEN HIRING AN ARBORIST
The services of an arborist may be required if a tree is in need of pruning, fertilizing, weather-related damage assessment or other problem diagnostics. Full-service arborists are professionals who possess skills in planting, transplanting, pruning, fertilizing, pest management, disease diagnosis, tree removal and stump grinding. Consulting arborists are experts who offer advice, but do not perform services. They specialize in tree appraisals, diagnosing problems and recommending treatments.
Before hiring an arborist, ask for certificates of insurance and workmen's compensation. References can give you an idea of the work they have done in your area and the satisfaction of the customers. Be sure to ask if the company is a member of any professional associations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and employs certified arborists. Although membership does not always guarantee quality, businesses and individuals belonging to professional organizations receive frequent arboriculture updates in the form of newsletters and alerts. Certified arborists must maintain their certification by obtaining credits at training programs to stay updated and informed. The ISA website does have search capabilities so that consumers can find certified arborists in their area http://www.isa-arbor.com/home.aspx
|
|
ROSES - WHAT TO DO NOW
The drop in temperatures earlier this month resulted in hard freezes for many and had the potential of injuring many plants. "Winter hardened" plant stems were already "softening" and some, like roses were badly injured by the freeze. While some plants came through very well, others were killed back to older wood. Unfortunately, some have been killed to the ground.
The good news is that correctly planted roses will revive with little trouble. Many large, mature roses may need to be trimmed back severely. For grafted roses, death below the graft union will require removal of the plant. It will be important to remove all dead and weakened wood from plants. If left on the plant, deadwood will become a breeding ground for fungal problems.
It is also important to remember to prune so that buds and new growth at the top of the stems face away from the center of the crown. An open crown will allow for better air circulation. Proper pruning will help to discourage severe black spot and powdery mildew infections. In this case, directional pruning is a mechanical method of disease control which may help to decrease chemical use later in the season.
|
|
FREEZE DAMAGE TO OHIO'S APPLE CROP
After the freeze during the week of April 9-13, 2007, the damage to the apple crop in Ohio ranged from a total loss to partial crop loss. When a freeze kills all of the flowers, there will not be any fruit this year. If apple trees have just a few blooms remaining, flowers may open but not have a live stigma, styles, and/or ovaries. These flowers cannot develop into a fruit, even though the petals were not damaged. Partial damage of female flower parts is also possible and will result in lopsided fruit. Freeze rings result from damaged "apple" tissue (botanically the receptacle).
If the apple tree has considerable live bloom, which is the situation most of the apple growers in northern and eastern Ohio, consider yourself very luck. Primary spur leaves supply the apple during the cell division growth phase. Dr. Dave Ferree's studies at Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center showed that urea included in the early sprays can increase fruit size about 7%. These studies were on trees that were not nitrogen deficient by the normal measure. Benefits by applying urea can begin at pink blossom stage. Five lbs of urea/100 gal or per acre (back off to 3 lbs if temperatures are above 75-80 F). It is more important to have multiple sprays during the 35-50 day cell division period than to apply higher rates. These sprays have not caused excessive growth or deleterious effects to fruit quality. These recommendations are definitely intended for commercial apple growers. However, backyard apple growers can scale the rate back to make it fit their situation.
|
|
BUG BYTES
|
GYPSY MOTHS HAVE HATCHED AND ARE WAITING FOR FOOD
Amy Stone observed the first hatch of gypsy moth caterpillars in Lucas County on April 23rd. The caterpillars were hanging out on egg mass, appearing to be waiting for the oak leaves to begin expanding.
The gypsy moth is a non-native, invasive species that has been advancing into Ohio from Pennsylvania and Michigan over the past decade. In its caterpillar stage, it feeds on the leaves of over 300 different tree and shrub species and is especially fond of oak. A healthy tree can usually withstand only two years of defoliation before it is permanently damaged or dies. To date, 46 of Ohio's 88 counties have established gypsy moth populations.
There are three defined zones in a spreading infestation. One is the "Infested Zone" in which the pest population is well established and colonies overlap. The second zone is the "Transition Zone" in which isolated pest populations have developed, but are not generally overlapping. The third zone is the "Uninfested Zone" in which no pest populations have developed. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) operates three programs aimed at managing the gypsy moth in Ohio. For updates on the state-wide efforts, including 2007 treatment areas, check out the ODA website at http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/gypsymoth/, .
|
|
MAGGOTS ON THE GREENS
It seems like once or twice each spring a report of large numbers of tough skinned, gray-brown, worm-like larvae of CRANE FLIES are discovered in a turfgrass area. The larvae of crane flies are maggots also called LEATHERJACKETS because of the toughness of their outer coverings. This spring, Dave Shetlar reported receiving a call from a golf course that had sprayed its greens, tees, and fairways with an insecticide to control surface feeding insects. The next morning the superintendent discovered the greens, tees, and fairways covered with the dead carcasses of crane fly larvae. The larvae had come to the surface to feed at night and acquired a lethal dose of the insecticide. The exact identification of the larvae has not been determined as of yet, but there are a number of native species of crane flies that could be found in moist to wet turfgrass areas. The larvae of most species eat decomposing plant matter found in the soil and in turf thatch zones. However, a few species feed on roots of young plants and if abundant may cause considerable damage. This damage has been observed in rangelands and in seedling crops.
There are also at least two exotic species of crane fly that are known to infest and damage turf grass in North America. They are the EUROPEAN (MARSH) CRANE FLY (Tipula palodusa) and the COMMON CRANE FLY (T. oleracea). The European and common crane flies have become established in the Pacific Northwest including British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and possibly parts of northern California. The European crane fly was first recorded in Canada in 1955. More recently, the European crane fly has been discovered in Ontario, Canada. In 1996 and 1997, leatherjackets were found to be causing damage to turf in Whitby, Toronto and Hamilton Mountain areas in Ontario. Surveys conducted in Ontario have revealed that the European crane fly has spread and is infesting turf in Ancaster, Niagara Falls, Hamilton Mountain, Scarborough, Uxbridge, Oshawa/Whitby, Brampton, Markham, Kitchener/Waterloo, Windsor, Cambridge, St. Catharines and Guelph. Many of these locations are not far from Ohio. In 2004, these crane flies were also discovered infesting a couple of golf courses in western New York. If large populations of crane fly larvae are discovered, samples should be sent to a diagnostic lab for proper identification.
|
|
WINDSHIELD WIPES
BYGLers also ran into a few other insects and mites this week, including:
* Joe Boggs noted that it is now very evident the spring freeze had little effect on EASTERN TENT CATERPILLARS (Malacosoma disstria). Silk nests in branch forks of crabapples and cherries are now very evident in southwest Ohio. Likewise, despite facing some early challenges with frozen foliage, FOREST TENT CATERPILLARS (M. americanum) are also doing well. Joe noted he is now getting phone calls regarding early stage defoliation and caterpillars dangling on threads as they begin to disperse. Maples and oaks are favored hosts for forest tent caterpillars; however, caterpillars are also being found on hawthorns and crabapples.
* Curtis Young reported observing COMMON ARMYWORM MOTHS (Pseudaletia unipuncta) in the landscape. The adult moths are light tan (buff colored) in coloration with darker speckles of brown. They have a distinct, small, light tan to white colored, diamond shaped spot on the mid-forewing. Adults are about 3/4-1" long and have a 1 3/16" wing span. These adults are normally active at night and can be observed at porch lights. During the day, they hide in tall grasses and weeds, shrubs, and other dense cover. When disturbed, the moths will fly a short distance and then drop back into dense cover. The adult moth does no direct damage, however the caterpillars (larvae) of the armyworm can be problematic. The caterpillars feed almost exclusively on grasses including turfgrass. Watch for future reports on armyworm development through the spring.
|
|
DISEASE DIGEST
|
THE POWER OF THE (DISEASE) TRIANGLE: PART III
In past issues of the BYGL we have discussed the HOST and PATHOGEN components of the Disease Triangle. This week, let's turn to the ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO DISEASE component of the triangle.
The importance of an environment which is conducive to specific diseases cannot be overemphasized relative to the disease triangle concept and infectious plant disease control. ROSE BLACK SPOT is a telling example. Typically wet seasons mean heavy rose black spot and dry seasons mean light rose black spot problems. Of course, even a dry season can mean plenty of black spot if you irrigate regularly with overhead sprinklers. Therein lies a tale.
The tale is of greenhouse rose production. In the 1930s, rose black spot was a major problem in many rose greenhouse ranges. Today it is virtually non-existent. What changed? What facet of the disease triangle brought about this change? Was it the host with new rose taxa with better genetic black spot resistance? No. Was it better fungicides that preventively controlled Diplocarpon rosae during the infection process? No. The difference in incidence of rose black spot in greenhouse ranges between the 1930s and today is a change in the environment conducive to disease.
Here is what happened. One of the big problems in greenhouse rose production is spider mite feeding. In the 1930s, the available miticides for spider mite control were inadequate. As a result, growers did the best they could; they washed off the spider mites with a coarse spray of water - many times a day. Presumably the spider mites could only take so much of this and in the end not as many of them made it back up to feed on rose leaves. The result was mite control - and serious rose black spot disease.
This was the case because Diplocarpon rosae needs water on the leaves to infect, the longer the better. During the 1940s and beyond, effective miticides were developed, spider mite control resulted and greenhouse rose growers no longer needed to wash the mites off. In addition, over time growers have gone more and more to trickle irrigation. The bottom line is virtually no water gets on the foliage of greenhouse-grown roses - and black spot has ceased to be a problem inside. Of course, production of these roses has migrated mostly to south of the border - but that is another story.
Unfortunately, if you grow roses outside, the equation shifts. You cannot control cosmic irrigation - rainfall - but you can still use the power of the triangle to limit the amount of time water is on the foliage. Plant roses in sunny sites rather than shaded areas where there are poorer drying conditions and poorer air movement. Prune surrounding vegetation and do a good job of weeding - all to limit moistness in the planting. Whenever possible, use surface rather than overhead irrigation. If overhead irrigation is unavoidable, water early in the day, giving foliage a chance to dry before nightfall. Sometimes even this is not enough, for example in very wet seasons, which is why you must employ all facets of the disease triangle. Attack rose black spot in your plantings by using resistant varieties, by doing a good job of sanitation, by using preventive fungicides and by managing the growing environment of your roses.
As noted earlier, the environment and the role it plays cannot be overestimated. For example, in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio in recent years we have learned some real lessons about BACTERIAL FIREBLIGHT (Erwinia amylovora). Prior to these years we did not consider callery pears as being seriously affected by this disease. When it did occur, the fireblight strikes often extended only a few inches on the shoots, rarely causing any significant dieback down the stem. One of the keys to fireblight, though, is the extent of blossom infections, and one of the environmental factors leading to blossom infections is warm, wet weather during bloom. During the past two years in our area of the country temperatures during callery pear bloom have been unusually warm.
These temperatures in the 70s and even 80s have correlated with very unusual and severe amounts of fireblight on callery pears with many strikes per plant and strikes extending much further down the stem than is typical. We now need to pay more attention to which callery pears are more susceptible. At Secrest Arboretum in Wooster and other areas of Ohio for example, 'Aristocrat' and 'Autumn Blaze' seem to be especially affected, and we may even lose several 'Autumn Blaze' specimens, which is something never imagined. Not until, that is, the warm weather during the callery pear blooming period in mid-April the past two years.
So, when you think of infectious plant diseases, remember the disease triangle and use it as a way to develop an integrated understanding and approaching disease control. Infectious disease is not a simple thing with simple solutions, but a dynamic interaction between a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen, and an environment conducive to disease. Focusing on this, you can find many ways to try to break that triangle including: a host with great resistance; an outstanding sanitation in a greenhouse environment; or simply keeping water off the foliage. More often it is the creative combination of approaches that involve all three facets of the triangle.
|
|
RUSTS RETURN
Each Spring, there are several rust diseases that predictably are observed. Joe Boggs and Jim Chatfield noted MAY-APPLE RUST this past week along a woodland trail in southwest Ohio's Greene County. They also noted pads of sporulating CEDAR-QUINCE RUST pustules on junipers along a trail above Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. This cedar rust is less spectacular than the larger galls that will sport bright orange telial spore horns soon to emerge throughout Ohio. At Secrest Arboretum in Wooster, the CEDAR-HAWTHORN RUST and CEDAR-APPLE RUST galls have not yet sporulated, trailing their usual dates a few weeks, just like many other phenological events this Spring.
|
|
TURF TIPS
|
ATAENIUS TIME IS NEAR
Curtis Young reported finding a BLACK TURFGRASS ATAENIUS (Ataenius spretulus) beetle hanging out at his porch light over the weekend. Of course, as Curtis noted, one beetle does not a summer make!
Ataenius beetles spend the winter in protected sites, such as under leaves in the woods. As the weather warms in the spring, they begin moving into turf areas to lay eggs. Their peak flight activity, and the best time to make control applications, has long been associated with the blooming of Vanhoutte (Spirea x vanhouttei) and bridalwreath (Spiraea prunifolia) spirea.
Ataenius grubs can be managed by treating preventively with imidacloprid (e.g. Merit) or clothianidin (e.g. Arena) when the spireas mentioned above are in full bloom. Clothianidin provides the added benefit of taking out turfgrass caterpillars, as well as annual white grubs, billbugs, and chinch bugs. A more long-term black turfgrass ataenius management option is to implement an aggressive thatch management program. The beetles are strongly attracted to decaying odors arising from turfgrass with thick thatch.
|
|
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
|
FROZEN ASSETS
A look through garden centers in North Central Ohio turned up nursery stock severely damaged during the recent freeze. Potted stock overwintered in hoop houses had responded to the very warm weather early this season by starting a substantial flush of new growth. In areas where the temperatures dropped into the low 20s for extended periods, this growth was killed back. In most cases, the plant will put out new growth to replace the damaged buds and leaves. In a few cases, examination revealed that stems and branches had been frozen and would not recover. In these instances, the tree or shrub can be pruned back to undamaged wood. Plants in less advanced stages of growth exhibited little or no damage.
|
|
THE LABEL IS THE LAW
Tim Malinich received a call this past week from a homeowner frustrated with a pesticide recommendation from a retailer. Upon the recommendation from garden center staff, the consumer had purchased a pest control product for use on his fruit trees. Upon arriving home, the well informed consumer proceeded to read the label before applying the pesticide and discovered the phrase--not for use on fruits or vegetables-- at the top of the label.
Industry professionals working directly with consumers must keep in mind that these clients often take them at their word and errors or omissions in recommendations may cause damage to landscapes, gardens, property and/or people. When giving recommendations, be sure you and your staff are familiar with the product and its label. Remember, the label is the law, and the legal document regulating use of that pesticide. It is the consumer's responsibility to apply the pesticide according to label directions, but it is up to industry professionals to direct consumers to appropriate products when asked. If you don't know the answer, avoid an off-the-cuff reply and instead respond with, "I don't know, but I will find out."
|
|
COMING ATTRACTIONS
|
PLANT DISCOVERY DAY SET FOR MAY 5TH
Next Saturday, May 5th is cause for celebration not only because it is Cinco de Mayo, but additionally it will be the 14th Annual Plant Discovery Day at OSU's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center's (OARDC) Secrest Arboretum in Wooster, Ohio (1680 Madison Avenue). From 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. there will be an extensive plant and art sale at OARDC's Fisher Auditorium put on by the Friends of Secrest Arboretum and a number of specialty vendors. Herbaceous annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs, container gardens, hanging baskets, and art for the home and landscape will all be for sale.
From 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. there will be a silent auction inside Fisher Auditorium and from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. there will be a rare and unusual plant and art auction outside. The Bug Zoo and food vendors will be operating (separately, of course) throughout the entire event. There will be guided walks throughout the Arboretum from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
To whet your appetite, here are just a few of the many plants in the auctions on Plant Discovery Day on May 5th. Descriptions are from the elegant pen of Secrest Arboretum curator Kenny Cochran, a Cuyahoga Falls native. First, in the rare plant auction:
Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot' (Golden Spirit Smokebush). This remarkably new yellow foliaged smokebush is from the Netherlands. It has yellow leaves transforming to shades of coral, orange, and red in autumn. Exceptional beauty comes in early to mid-summer when the textural quality of the "smoky panicles" exhibit a refined character. Plant in full sun in average field soils.
Cladrastis kentukea 'Perkins Pink' (Pink American Yellowwood). Pendulous terminal panicles of fragrant, light-pink panicles adorn this medium tree in early summer. It's unlike anything that you have seen in a Midwestern native tree. Yellow autumn foliage, vase-shaped habit of growth and the detail of smooth gray bark add to its full potential as a ornamental tree. Grows in average field soils, but avoid drought conditions. A beautiful and hardy landscape tree.
And from the silent plant auction:
Acer palmatum var. dissectum atropurpureum 'Tamukeyama' (Dissected-leaf Japanese maple). This is a hardy, strongly cascading selection. 'Tamukeyama' was listed as early as 1710, but is not readily found in the nursery trade. The new foliage is a deep crimson-red when unfolding and holds a dark purple red tone extremely well in summer.
Abelia x 'Mardi Gras' (Glossy abelia). The creamy-margined, dark-leaves give distinction to this pink flowering small shrub. The autumn foliage is pink to red. The dense spreading habit gives a mass affect when incorporated in the landscape as a facing plant; consider using the delicate foliage of this plant with a bit coarser foliaged plants for contrast. Plant in average field soil, full sun to light shade, but sheltered in a microclimate for winter protection; do not hesitate to cut back within 6" from the ground in spring as it initiates flowers on new wood as growth commences each year.
Come Discover Spring next Saturday, May 5th at Secrest Arboretum in Wooster. For additional information check it all out on the web at http://www.secrest.osu.edu or call (330) 263-3761.
|
|
BYGLIVE! IN CINCINNATI
The 2nd 2007 BYGLive! Diagnostic Walk-About will be held Monday, May 14th, from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at Cox Arboretum & Gardens Metropark, 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton, 45449. This monthly hands-on training for green industry professionals focuses on diagnosing plant pest, disease, and physiological problems. ISA Certified Arborist CEU's will be available.
Driving directions from Cincinnati to the meeting location are as follows: travel north on I-75 to exit 44 (Dayton Mall or Centerville/Miamisburg exit); turn right at the bottom of the exit onto SR725. Turn left at the 2nd stop light (first major intersection) onto SR741/Springboro Pike. The Park entrance is about 4 miles on the left (just past the park's employee entrance). We will meet in the "Overflow Parking Lot." For more information, contact Joe Boggs at 513-946-8993.
|
|
ADVANCED MASTER GARDENER TRAINING - DIAGNOSTIC WALK-ABOUT
Join Jim Chatfield, Joe Boggs, and Tony Nye for an educationally fun-filled diagnostic walk-about at the Wilmington College Hazard Arboretum from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2007. This hands-on training will focus on identifying and managing landscape tree, shrub, and turf problems. The $10.00 fee for this program will cover the cost of lunch. Reservations must be received by Monday, May 14th. For more information, contact Tony Nye at 937-382-0901.
|
|
BYGLOSOPHY
|
"Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella." -Pepper Giardino
|
|
