BYGL is available via email, contact Cheryl Fischnich  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to subscribe.  Additional Factsheet 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 ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) http://onla.org/ ; http://buckeyegardening.com/ to the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT).  Any materials in this newsletter may be reproduced for educational purposes providing the source is credited.

BYGL is available online at:  http://bygl.osu.edu, a web site sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences (HCS) as part of the "Horticulture in Virtual Perspective."  The online version of BYGL has images associated with the articles and links to additional information.

Following are the participants in the July 28th conference call:  Barb Bloetscher (Entomology/C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); Joe Boggs (Hamilton); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (Delaware); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Amy Stone (Lucas); Nancy Taylor (CWEPPDC); and Curtis Young (Hancock).

In This Issue:

1. WEATHERWATCH. 
2. HORT SHORTS:  Vegetable Gardening 101 - July 30, 2009 - The Troubles with Tomatoes; and Plants of the Week:  Annual (Ornamental Sweet Potato), Perennial (Black-eyed Susan), Woody (Rose of Sharon), and Weed (Buckhorn Plantain).
3. GREEN SHORTS:  Rain Garden Site Location Check List; and Buckeye Lady Beetle Blitz Review (Variegated Lady Beetle);
4. CLINIC CLIPS.
5. BUGBYTES:  Hickory Tussock Moth; Gall Madness; Twisted Honey Locust (Plant Bugs); and EAB Quarantine Grows (Emerald Ash Borer).   
6. DISEASE DIGEST:  Fusarium Wilt of Coreopsis Identified by the CWEPPDC for the First Time; Bacterial Wilt in Watermelons; and Flags a Flying for Dutch Elm Disease. 
7. TURF TIPS:  Keep the Green on Top! (Summer Turfgrass Challenges) 
8. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS:  A Wonderful Source for Answers to Complex or Unusual Pesticide Questions. 
9. COMING ATTRACTIONS:  Northwest Ohio Green Industry Summer Session; Pesticide Applicator Training Offered; Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Training; and Dates Set for Commercial Applicator Recertification Conferences. 
10. BYGLOSOPHY.

1.  WEATHERWATCH. 

The following weather information summarizes data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) Weather Stations spanning the dates:  July 1-July 29, 2009, with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 6:05 p.m.

Cool temperatures continue.  In fact, at each of the 5 weather stations listed below, the actual average temperature is less than the historical average temperature (i.e. Ashtabula, -7.40; Wooster, -6.90; Hoytville, -4.80; Columbus, -6.90; and Piketon, -9.70).  Amy Stone reported that the Toledo area is on track to be the 2nd or 3rd coolest July on record, but not to be out done, Dave Dyke reported that Cincinnati was on track to have its coolest July on record.  In fact, Cincinnati has not hit its average daily high temperature in July this year.

For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, visit:  http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm

2.  HORT SHORTS.

A.  VEGETABLE GARDENING 101 - JULY 30, 2009 - THE TROUBLES WITH TOMATOES.

*SLOW RIPENING TOMATOES.  BYGLers received many phone calls about slow ripening tomatoes.  As indicated in the WeatherWatch, this July might be the coolest or the second coolest month on record.  Tomato plants need a lot of sunlight to carry out their photosynthesis.  Cooler weather favors vegetative growth.  Hopefully, more typical summer weather will come soon.  We might complain about hot weather then, but our tomatoes might ripen more quickly.  In the meantime, gardeners will have to wait very patiently. *LOW FRUIT SET IN TOMATOES.  BYGLers received a few phones calls about lack of fruit set of tomatoes in some gardens.  There are a few reasons for reduced fruit set.  Some of the common problems are too much nitrogen, varietal differences, overcrowding of plants, extreme temperatures, moisture stress, and insufficient sunlight.  Excessive fertilizer can make the plants produce a lot of leaves and stems, but not flowers and fruit.  Some gardeners apply liquid feed every week.  This practice might provide too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen.  A soil test is always a good thing to do.  Have your soil tested before planting then follow the soil test recommendations through the season.

Tomato variety/cultivar can make a huge difference too.  Cherry, grape, and bush tomatoes are naturally more productive than an indeterminate type.  When growing tomatoes, it is a good idea to grow a few different types.  The indeterminate type, such as Brandywine, can grow a lot and produce several tomatoes on a very tall and long vine.  One the other hand, a bush or determinate type produces more on very compact plants. Overcrowding of plants can be a problem too.  When tomatoes are planted too closely, each plant may not get enough sunlight.  Tomato plants need 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.  Without enough sunlight, the plants will not reach their yield potential. Extremes in temperatures and moisture levels can cause reduced fruit set.  It is a good idea to keep tomato plants well watered. *FRUIT DROP IN TOMATOES.  Gary Gao talked with a gardener who had a severe fruit drop in her tomatoes.  The plant sample brought into the office looked quite healthy.  The gardener also said that other tomatoes in her garden look quite good.  Gary concluded that the fruit drop was not caused by diseases or insects.  Raccoons or deer might be a more likely culprit.  There were some visible mechanical injuries to the stems.  Since raccoons or deer come out at night, a gardener can wake up seeing a lot of green fruit knocked to the ground, which is a very sad day for that gardener.  A fence might be a solution in this case.

• OSU FactSheet on Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden

B.  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 .

*ANNUAL - ORNAMENTAL SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatus).  Ornamental sweet potato vine is grown for its decorative foliage, which comes in many shapes and colors.  While growth rate varies, most cultivars have a very vigorous growth habit.  It is superb for cascading over walls and as a ground cover.  Smaller, less vigorous cultivars may also work very well in mixed containers. Sweet potatoes bring color to the garden through the entire growing season and emphasize and enhance the flowers and foliage of nearby plants.  The purple, deeply lobed foliage of 'Blackie' and the lime green and heart-shaped leaves of 'Marguerite' bring out the burgundy and green in coleus and contrast beautifully with both variegated plants and bright colors.  Like 'Blackie', Black Heart is purple, but with heart-shaped leaves.  The pink hues in 'Tricolor' leaves appear bolder and more visible when planted with pink or fuchsia-colored flowers.  Pink Frost, which is not as vigorous as most other cultivars, is outstanding with three-lobed leaves in variegated pink, green and white.  Plants in the 'Sweet Caroline' series come in green, bright lime green, purple, and bronze and have smaller root systems.  All cultivars of sweet potato vines trialed at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden have consistently done very well.  They will do the best in full sun, with some afternoon shade quite acceptable, in a fertile and well-drained soil.

*PERENNIAL - BLACK-EYED SUSAN (Rudbeckia hirta).  This cheerful perennial daisy or coneflower is now gracing gardens throughout much of Ohio with its showy flower heads measuring 2-3" in diameter with yellow rays circling a dark-brown, spherical center.  It is a native biennial or short-lived perennial plant that is commonly found in fields and on roadsides.  This much beloved plant grows to about 1-2 1/2' tall and blooms for about a month from early to mid-summer.  Black-Eyed Susan is an excellent choice for prairie restorations, or the first-year planting of a wildflower garden, as it may bloom during the first year from seed. *WOODY - ROSE OF SHARON (Hibiscus syriacus).  This deciduous flowering shrub can be a prime candidate for a hedge or screen.  Because it is responsive to pruning, rose of Sharon can be trained to become a single stemmed small tree.  Flowers come in a variety of colors (i.e. pinks, purples, and white) and blooms last for an extended period of time during mid to late summer.  This easy to grow shrub can self-seed, often giving gardeners starts to share with family or friends.

3.  GREEN SHORTS.

A.  RAIN GARDEN SITE LOCATION CHECK LIST.  Not all landscapes are suitable for a rain garden installation.  It is critical to determine if a setting is appropriate.  The following is a checklist to help disqualify potential sites that are not suitable for a rain garden:

• Prior to excavating for a rain garden in the state of Ohio, you will need to contact the Ohio Utility Protection Service (1-800-362-2764) to first determine if there are any underground lines or utilities in the location where you wish to site the rain garden.  If so, you will need to select another location.
• A minimum surface infiltration rate in the range of 1/2-1" per hour prior to amendment or management is required.
• Rain gardens should be located at least 10-15' from a home or structure with a basement, and situated in such a way that the rain garden is slightly down slope of the house so that surface or subsurface flow is directed away from the home.
• Does not impact trees and shrubs.  The construction of a rain garden can require a considerable amount of soil disturbance, and the function of a rain garden is to concentrate rain water runoff.  Both can have serious negative effects on existing trees and shrubs.  Rain gardens should not be located near existing mature trees and shrubs, unless these plants are tolerant of wet conditions and root disturbances.   Note that tree roots often extend to 3 times the diameter of its canopy.
• If there is a private, on-site wastewater treatment system or a leach field for a septic system, then the rain garden shall be located a minimum of 50' from any of these wastewater treatment systems AND shall not in any way be hydraulically-connected to these treatment systems so as to avoid cross contamination.
• Slopes equal to or more than 20% need to be evaluated by a geotechnical engineer prior to incorporating a rain garden on-site.  Ideally, rain garden designs on slopes greater than 12% should also be evaluated by a geotechnical engineer. 
• Site is not located on a flood plain or fringe flood.
• To familiarize yourself with the soil setting in the area and how water can infiltrate in the soils native to the area refer to the county soil survey.  Contact your county Soil and Water Conservation District.  This does not replace the importance of conducting at least a simple infiltration test at the intended site for the rain garden.  If limitations for drainage are indicated in the soil survey, then find another spot that has better prospects for drainage, or you will need to install an underdrain.
• No rain gardens are to be installed in hydric soils.  These soils are found in mucky, wetland areas and are typically wet the year around.
• Determine seasonally high (maximum) groundwater depth through observation, interviews with local residents, or direct measurement - the county soil survey can serve as an excellent guide.
• No closed hazardous waste remediation or Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites within 500' of site.
• No endangered species habitat.
• Site does not fall within a source water protection area.
• Site should not be located within 100' from drinking water wells or waterways.
• The base of the rain garden should be located 2-5' above the seasonably high ground water table.  This is, particularly important in areas where there are potential pollutants that might find their way into a rain garden.  This is usually not a problem for residences.
• No obvious flooding or erosion impacts to adjacent properties.

For more information, see:

• Storm Water Manaagement Guide

B.  BUCKEYE LADY BEETLE BLITZ REVIEW. 

In an earlier BYGL (Issue 2009-13), Dr. Mary Gardiner's Buckeye Lady Beetle Blitz was introduced to BYGL readers.  Refer to the website:  http://ladybeetle.osu.edu for more details.  Curtis Young suggested that BYGL run a number of articles reviewing the lady beetles (ladybugs) that are commonly observed in Ohio.  This week's lady beetle in the spot light is the VARIEGATED LADY BEETLE (Hippodamia variegata).

The variegated lady beetle is a small species (1/4") that was introduced from Europe.  Between 1957 and 1981, it was released across North America as a biological control agent for aphids.  Adults are frequently observed on a number of flowering plants through the season where they are eating pollen.  They, as with most lady beetles, are considered beneficial because both adults and larvae consume large numbers of soft bodied insects (e.g. aphids, caterpillars, etc.) and insect eggs during their lifetime. They are found in a wide range of non-forest habitats that are prone to high aphid populations, such as alfalfa, clover, cereal crops, and fruit crops, as well as in weedy field borders and woodland edges.

The variegated lady beetle's body is more elongated than dome-shaped.  Its elytra (hardened forewings) are red-orange with variable numbers of black spots, 5, 6, or 7.  It is frequently mistaken for a native lady beetle in the same genus, the CONVERGENT LADY BEETLE (H. convergens), because some variegated lady beetles have 2 pale spots on their pronotum (front plate behind the head) that bear a striking resemblance to the markings characteristic of the convergent lady beetle (two angled, white dashes that produce an upside down "V").  Therefore, it is important to make note of the size of the lady beetle because variegated lady beetles are generally smaller in size than the native convergent lady beetle.

For more information, see:

• Buckeye Lady Beetle Blitz

4.  CLINIC CLIPS.

Insects and plants with insects received in the CWEPPDC this week included a 45 year old rhododendron with scarring and damage from the rhododendron borer, a clearwing moth, spider mite damage on a row of spruce trees in a landscape, and several ground beetles (Tribe Psydrini) submitted from a pest control company.  The beetles were found in a home, apparently attracted to lights shining at night.  Several ensign wasps had been seen in an office building.  Since these strange looking parasitic wasps attack cockroach egg cases, the PCO examined the basement of the office for evidence of roaches.  Phone calls regarding honey bee colonies in buildings have also swarmed the office.

The plant disease diagnosticians have been working hard!  Ornamental samples examined included Dutch elm disease on American elm, Dothistroma needle blight on Austrian pine, branch end dieback resulting from fire blight infections on crabapple which occurred earlier in the year, Phytophthora root rot on rhododendron, and a physiological leaf spot on tulip tree.  The spot on tulip tree is often attributed to stress and/or scorch.  Verticillium wilt was detected in a catalpa (Catalpa bignoniodes 'Nana').  A Japanese maple var. 'Trompenburg' was experiencing leaf scorch.  Fusarium crown rot was identified on a sample of 'Moonbeam' coreopsis.  This disease was first documented in 2007.

5.  BUGBYTES.

A.  HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH. 

Erik Draper and Joe Boggs reported that HICKORY TUSSOCK MOTH (Lophocampa caryae) caterpillars have reached the 2nd instar stage in northeast Ohio and are transitioning from feeding gregariously as skeletonizers to feeding singly as general defoliators.  The caterpillars were found on oak but they may also feed on a wide range of deciduous trees and shrubs including ash, crabapples, elms, and sweetgum, as well as their namesake host.  Additionally, as with all tussock moths, the caterpillars are protected by stinging (urticating) hairs.  Direct contact with skin can produce a rash similar to reactions to poison ivy. 

Although larvae of all instar stages are covered with stiff white hairs, there are different color forms.  All color forms are variations of a black on white motif and range from thin black stripes across the back (tiger striping) to a row of black spots down the back.  Most color forms also have two prominent side‑by‑side tufts of long black hairs immediately behind the head which is typical for a tussock moth caterpillar.  In past years, these caterpillars have been responsible for heavy defoliation of oaks in southern Ohio.  It is suspected that hickory tussock moths have two generations per year in Ohio.

For more information, see:

• Penn State FactSheet on Hickory Tussock Moth

B.  GALL MADNESS. 

	Plant galls that are produced by insects and mites are now becoming very evident throughout Ohio.  While some galls may damage their host plants, the vast majority cause no appreciable harm.  Indeed, students of pest-host interactions view insect and mite galls with a certain sense of wonder.  Following are a few gall-points that may help non-gall-enthusiasts to fully appreciate these fascinating plant growths: * Most insect and mite galls consist entirely of plant tissue grown in a very specific way under the direction of a gall-maker.  The gall-maker exudes chemicals that mimic plant hormones to turn plant genes on and off at just the right time to direct gall growth. * The galls can only form on tissue that is in the process of differentiating.  Thus, leaf galls grow as leaves expand.  Galls cannot form from plant cells that have stopped dividing. * Insect and mite galls are usually so specific that the gall-maker can be accurately identified to species based entirely upon the gall structure, without benefit of actually observing the gall-maker.
	Some notable galls currently noticed in Ohio include oak galls, produced by tiny, gnat-like wasps in the family Cynipidae.  On white oak, these include:  the bristly, descriptively named HEDGEHOG GALLS, formed on the lower leaf surface by Acraspis erinacei; and the off-white, marshmallow-like, 1-2" diameter WOOL SOWER GALLS produced by C. seminator on the surface of twigs and stems. Those found on red and pin oaks include:  the aptly named OAK APPLE GALLS produced by Amphibolips confluenta that look like tiny apples growing off stem tissue; the knobby club-like HORNED OAK GALLS produced by Callirhytis cornigera that may be adorned with short, protruding horn-like structures.  Of the over 700 galls found on oaks, very few cause appreciable harm to their hosts.  Horned oak galls are an exception.  Opening these woody galls will reveal the jumbled mass of disorganized stem tissue that is responsible for disrupting vascular flow beyond the gall, causing dieback of twigs and branches.
	The handiwork of several gall-making mites in the family Eriophyidae may also be appreciated.  These include:  the light-green to reddish-green, finger‑like SPINDLE GALLS on the upper leaf surface of sugar maple, caused by the eriophyid Vasates aceriscrumena, and on the upper leaf surface of black cherry, caused by the "cherry-ophyid mite" Phytoptus cerasicrumena.  Some species of eriophyid mites produce unusual patch-like growths called erineum galls, or erineum patch-galls.  These appear on leaf surfaces as areas of felt-like growths.  Some examples include:  BEECH ERINEUM GALLS on the upper leaf surface of American beech caused by the eriophyid mite Acalitus fagerinea, and similar looking erineum galls on the lower leaf surface of little leaf linden produced by Eriophyes tiliae.  The eriophyid Eriophyes elongatus produces one of the most colorful erineum galls in the form of crimson patches on the upper leaf surface of sugar maple.

C.  TWISTED HONEY LOCUST.  Susceptible varieties of the thornless honeylocust, especially the yellow leaved varieties, have shown the diagnostic symptoms of damage from the HONEY LOCUST PLANT BUG (Diaphnocoris chlorionis).  The leaves may appear chlorotic, stippled, stunted, or deformed, and in severe cases, leaves may have holes where necrotic tissue has died and fallen.  Although the actual damage occurs in the spring, the leaves continue to show symptoms the rest of the season.

Casual observers may never catch the culprit responsible, as the 1/8" long emerald green adults run fast and can fly at a moment's notice.  The yellow-green nymphs can be seen in May-June, but since damage may not show until after they have matured, the only evidence of their presence may be the black tar specks on the bottom of leaves where they had pierced leaf tissue and sucked nutrients from the leaves.  The distortion arises from the saliva which is inserted into the leaf cells to help dissolve the cell contents.

To manage this true bug (Order Hemiptera) it helps to know its life cycle.  The eggs are laid in the bark of 2-3 year old branches the prior summer.  The eggs overwinter then hatch just as the leaf buds begin to open.  Nymphs feed on this tender foliage, causing serious damage to the emerging leaves.  As they grow, the nymphs will molt until they are full sized adults with wings.  Development usually takes about 30 days, with adults appearing by late May to early June.  The adults continue to feed for one to two months and disappear by mid-to late July.

Injury is worse in years when cool temperatures continue for several days after budbreak through leaf development and expansion.  If the population of the plant bug is high at this time, injury can be severe enough to cause defoliation.  Fortunately, although stressed, the tree will not die.  However, the honey locust plant bug is often accompanied by the honey locust spider mite and leafhopper, which adds to the tree's stress.  In situations where the honeylocust tree has suffered from the plant bug in prior years, develop a treatment strategy to reduce damage from this bug.

At bud break, shake several branches onto a white cloth to detect populations of the nymph.  If present, treat with a pyrethroid such as cyflutrhin (e.g. Tempo), bifenthrin (e.g. Talstar), or deltamethrin (e.g. DeltaGard); carbaryl (e.g. Sevin) horticultural oil, or insecticidal soap.  The systemic insecticides are also very effective if drenched early enough so that the tree has translocated the product throughout the tree.

For more information, see:

• Insect and Mite Control on Woody Ornamentals and Herbaceous Perennials, Bulletin 504
• University Massachusetts Fact Sheet
• University of Kentucky Fact Sheet 
  

D.  EAB QUARANTINE GROWS. 

Ohio's Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine was expanded on July 27, 2009 by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) to include 5 new counties.  Ashland, Richland, Summit, Greene, and Morrow counties were added to the quarantine.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials confirmed the positive identification of specimens collected in each of the counties.  Ashland, Richland, and Summit county specimens were removed from purple traps that were placed by the ODA.  The Greene County specimen was retrieved by an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer and EAB Specialist, and the Morrow County specimen was obtained following a tip from a USDA employee.  These findings mark the first known infestations in each of these counties.  Since Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in Ohio in 2003, ODA has placed 50 counties under quarantine. 

For more information, see:

• ashalert website

6.  DISEASE DIGEST.

A.  FUSARIUM WILT OF COREOPSIS IDENTIFIED BY THE CWEPPDC FOR THE FIRST TIME.  Nancy Taylor reported that she has identified Fusarium wilt (also called FUSARIUM CROWN ROT) on 'MOONBEAM' COREOPSIS (Coreopsis verticillata) for the first time at the CWEPPDC.  The plants were container grown.  This disease was first identified in the U.S. on field grown plants in 2007.  It is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum and can be quite a significant problem.  This fungus produces spores prolifically, and any diseased plants in the area can serve as a source of inoculum.  Good control measures are necessary.  The first step must be rigid sanitation.  Diseased plants and debris should be discarded.  The remaining plants should be spaced since water splashing from pot to pot can readily spread spores.  To our knowledge, there are no fungicides specifically labeled or tested for this disease.  For uninfected plants, fungicide drenches of Heritage or Terraclor fungicides may be helpful. 

For further information on this disease please refer to:  http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS-91-11-1519B  and [http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/suppl/10.1094/PDIS-91-11-1519B .

For more information, see:

• American Phytopathological Society Journal Article
• American Phytopathological Society Journal Article

B.  BACTERIAL WILT IN WATERMELONS.  Nancy Taylor received a sample of bacterial wilt of watermelon at the CWPPDC.  After vine crops begin to run, gardeners and farmers often notice individual leaves with severe wilt symptoms on sunny days.  Within a week or two the condition spreads to entire vines, which do not recover from the wilt.  This disease, called bacterial wilt, is especially common with cantaloupes and cucumbers.  Squash and pumpkins may not wilt as rapidly, but may be dwarfed, with extensive blossoming and branching.  Bacterial wilt is rare on watermelons, but does happen.  

There isn't anything that can be done now to save the infected plants.  However, gardeners can control the disease in cucumbers next year by controlling the cucumber beetles which are the vector of the bacteria.  The only practical management measure is to use an insecticide when seedlings first emerge to control the black and yellow cucumber beetles.  Early infections are the most severe, but total control depends on applications continuing at frequent intervals during the growing season.  In some cases, if insect pressure is heavy, it may be necessary to apply an insecticide when plants are just cracking the soil, but have not yet emerged. 

For more information, see:

• OSU Extension FactSheet on Growing Watermelon in the Home Garden

C.  FLAGS A FLYING FOR DUTCH ELM DISEASE.  Dutch elm disease (DED) is one of the most destructive urban forest diseases.  The disease affects native American elm species, such as American (Ulmus americana), slippery or red (U. rubra), winged (U. alata), rock (U. thomasii), September (U. serotina), and cedar (U. crassifolia) elms.  The Asiatic elms, such as Siberian (U. pumila), Japanese (U. japonica), or lacebark (U. parvifolia) elms, are much less susceptible to DED, and the disease is not considered an issue for these species.

DED was introduced into America near Cleveland in the 1930s.  The disease still kills mature elms today which many BYGLers reported recently seeing.  Early symptoms include yellowing of the leaves.  Those leaves then turn brown, curl up, and usually hang on the branch for some time.  These symptomatic branches are called "flags" and their appearance in an otherwise green crown is called "flagging."  As the disease progresses, more flags will appear until the whole crown becomes symptomatic.  The progression of the disease can be very quick and sometimes the entire tree can succumb in a matter of weeks. 

For more information, see:

• DED FactSheet

7.  TURF TIPS.

A.  KEEP THE GREEN ON TOP!  With August around the corner and the predictable summer drought suspected, lawn managers are worried that after enjoying the cool, moist July, turfgrass may crash if the temperatures rise and rainfall ends.  Since most of Ohio's turfgrass species are cool season grasses, the turfgrass has grown luxuriously and roots may be near the surface.  With sudden temperature hikes combined with little to no precipitation, the surface roots may desiccate, leading toward turfgrass decline.

To curtail this predicament, keep the mower height high so that the grass is kept at 2 1/2-3" tall.  Mow often enough so that only 1/3 of the blade is removed at one time.  To avoid dormancy, irrigate every 7-14 days if rainfall is insufficient.

We may be pleasantly surprised however, as a local weather psychic (not a meteorologist) has stated that the rest of the summer season will continue to be cool and moist.  Let's see if he is right!

For more information, see:

• OSU Fact Sheet "Managing Turfgrass Under Drought Conditions"
• Purdue Univ. "Preparing Your Lawn for a Potential Drought"

8.  INDUSTRY INSIGHTS.

A.  A WONDERFUL SOURCE FOR ANSWERS TO COMPLEX OR UNUSUAL PESTICIDE QUESTIONS.  Companies that sell or apply pesticides, and their customers, may at times have questions that are complex and a bit out of the norm; such as, "How long will a mix of herbicides that has been accidentally applied to my organic garden persist in the soil and can I eat the vegetables from that garden in the meantime?" (a real life question posed last week to a BYGLer).  One of the best sources of such information is the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC).  The NPIC is a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Its mission is to provide objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions about pesticides and their use.  Check out their web site:  http://npic.orst.edu/ .

For more information, see: 

• National Pesticide Information Center Web Site

9.  COMING ATTRACTIONS.

A.  NORTHWEST OHIO GREEN INDUSTRY SUMMER SESSION.  Remember to SAVE the date for the 12th annual Northwest Ohio Green Industry Summer Session on August 5, 2009. The event will be held once again at Owens Community College.  We are especially pleased of this year's great line up of speakers: OSU Extension; Pam Bennett, Dr. Dave Shetlar, Jim Chatfield, Gary Gao, Joe Rimelspach, and Joanne Kick-Raack; Dr. Roger Funk, The Davey Institute; Stephanie Miller, ODNR; and Matt Ross, Toledo Botanical Garden.

Once again we will have a three hour manager session with Dr. Bernie Erven, OSU Extension, Columbus, Ohio, working with you as you look at Managing for Success.  This session will be both informative and very interactive as you look at your business and where you want to grow.

Continuing education credits will be given for ONLA certified technicians, ISA recertification, OLA, and Master Gardener recertification.  Contact OSU Extension, ABE Center at 419-354-6916 or http://abe.osu.edu/upcoming-events for more information.

B.  PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING OFFERED.  Trained Serviceperson and New Applicator Commercial Schools are planned for August 26, 2009 and September 30, 2009.  These sessions will be taught at the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.  For additional information on these schools, and other educational opportunities, check out the Pesticide Education website at http://pested.osu.edu .

C.  WOOD DESTROYING INSECT INSPECTION TRAINING.  Mark your calendars for training on September 16, 2009.  This training will be held at ODA in Reynoldsburg.  Recertification credit will also be available in Core, 10b and 12.  For additional information, check out http://pested.osu.edu .

D.  DATES SET FOR COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION CONFERENCES.  The following dates have been set for recertification conferences this winter.  Mark your calendars now!

• January 13, 2010, Dayton Convention Center, Dayton
• February 17, 2010, Kalahari Conference Center, Sandusky
• March 3, 2010, John S. Knight Center, Akron
• March 9, 2010, Columbus Convention Center, Columbus

10.  BYGLOSOPHY. 

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." - Abraham Lincoln