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BUCKEYE YARD AND GARDEN LINE 2009-08 From: Pam Bennett, Barb Bloetscher, Joe Boggs, Cindy Burskey, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper, Dave Dyke, Gary Gao, David Goerig, Tim Malinich, Becky McCann, Amy Stone, and Curtis Young. This is the 8th 2009 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL). BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension Educators, Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio. 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 May 26th conference call: Pam Bennett (Clark); Joe Boggs (Hamilton); Jim Chatfield (Horticulture and Crop Science and Plant Pathology); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (Delaware); Bridget Meiring (C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); Joe Rimelspach (Plant Pathology); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Amy Stone (Lucas); Nancy J. Taylor (CWEPPDC); Curtis Young (Hancock); and Randy Zondag (Lake). In This Issue:
1. WEATHERWATCH. The following weather information summarizes data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) Weather Stations spanning the dates: May 1-27, 2009, with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Wednesday, May 27 at 6:05 a.m. Several BYGLers commented on the dry conditions including Joe Boggs, Pam Bennett, and Randy Zondag. On the upside, Curtis Young reported that dry conditions were very helpful in his area since farmers were finally able to get out in the fields to plant. As we all know, rainfall accumulations can vary greatly from one area to another, even within the same county. Many are eagerly awaiting the predicted mid-week showers. Next week we will see what actually fell across Ohio.
For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, visit: [ http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm ]
2. HORT SHORTS. A. GROWING DEGREE DAYS (GDD) 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 [ http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/gdd/ ]. The range of GDD accumulations in Ohio from north to south is 424 to 781. Following is a report of GDD for several locations around Ohio as of May 27, 2009: Painesville, 424; Cleveland, 447; Toledo, 529; Canfield, 444; Findlay, 443; Wooster, 543; Coshocton, 565; Columbus, 683; Springfield, 687; Dayton, 691; Cincinnati, 736; Ironton, 745; Portsmouth, 748; and Piketon, 781. 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. Black cherry, full bloom, 419; Miss Kim Manchurian lilac, first bloom, 422; locust leafminer, adult emergence, 437; doublefile viburnum, full bloom, 444; black locust, first bloom, 467; common ninebark, first bloom, 478; oystershell scale, egg hatch, 497; smokebush, first bloom, 501; arrowwood viburnum, first bloom, 534; American yellowwood, first bloom, 546; bronze birch borer, adult emergence, 547; black locust, full bloom, 548; American holly, first bloom, 556; mountain laurel, first bloom, 565; potato leafhopper, adult arrival, 568; juniper scale, egg hatch, 571; common ninebark, full bloom, 596; American yellowwood, full bloom, 599; arrowwood viburnum, full bloom, 621; multiflora rose, full bloom, 643; northern catalpa, first bloom, 675; black vine weevil, first leaf notching due to adult feeding, 677; Washington hawthorn, full bloom, 731; calico scale, egg hatch, 748; greater peach tree borer, adult emergence, 775; and rhododendron borer, adult emergence, 815. B. COLLAPSING RASPBERRIES. Nancy Taylor reported that the CWEPPDC received samples of raspberries from a grower who said that the fruiting canes (floracanes) were collapsing and dying back, but that the new growth (primocanes) was just fine. That is indicative of winter injury. The floracanes of summer bearing brambles also tend to die back suddenly just as the fruit is ripening as a result of winter injury … or CROWN or CANE BORERS while the primocanes show no signs of distress. A root or stem disease, such as VERTICILLIUM WILT or PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT, would affect both primo- and floracanes. For further information on growing brambles please see OSU Extension Bulletin 940, "Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide" at: [ http://ohioline.osu.edu/b940/index.html ]. C. MASTER GARDENERVOLUNTEERS (MGVS) TEACHING GREEN. May 17-23, 2009 was Ohio's MGV Week and the theme focused on the fact that MGVs have been teaching green longer than the green movement has been around! Following are some of the "green" tips for gardens and landscapes. * Diversify the landscape to attract beneficial insects and discourage major pest outbreaks on one species. Many herbs, annuals and perennials attract beneficial insects. * Water early in the day and use drip or trickle irrigation to conserve water. * Build a compost pile to recycle garden and kitchen scraps. This also helps to add much-needed organic matter to the soil. * Recycle newspaper by using in your garden as mulch. Place paper on the ground in layers and cover it with grass clippings or straw to hold in place. * Select the right plants for the right location. Healthy plants are less likely to have insect and disease troubles. * Practice integrated pest management. Identify the pest problem before grabbing the spray bottle. Know the best method to control the pest in question. When using pesticides, always read the label! D. VEGETABLES 101 - TAKE CARE OF THOSE BABIES! Ohioans are planting tomatoes, peppers, and other transplants in the vegetable garden right now since the weather is incredibly nice. This is one situation, however, where one can't "love 'em and leave 'em!" Transplants are in need of tender loving care the first few weeks. Plants need to be gradually acclimated to the outside environment; hopefully, the plants were properly hardened-off at the greenhouse. If not, the plants might scorch or get wind-burned. If the injury is mild, the plants usually come out of it. In severe cases, one might have to re-plant. Water the containers thoroughly before transplanting in order for the roots to be saturated when going into the ground. Once they are planted, water each individual plant thoroughly rather than putting on the overhead sprinkler. This ensures that the entire root zone is moist. Don't water if they wilt without checking to make sure the soil is dry. If it's hot and sunny at planting time, the new transplants might wilt during the heat of the day. They should perk back up in the evening. Check transplants every day for watering needs. In addition, watch for any insect pests. Fertilize at the appropriate times during the growing season according to the fertilizer label. Be patient and before long - voila! A beautiful crop of vegetables appears. E. WHICH NEEDLES ARE WHICH? When it comes to "needled" trees and shrubs, some people tend to lump them all together. This "lumping" can cause confusion when selecting a new plant, identifying an existing plant, or diagnosing a pest problem. PINES (Pinus spp.) are easily distinguished from other evergreens in that the needles are arranged in bundles of 2, 3, or 5. Other evergreens such as HEMLOCK (Tsuga spp.), SPRUCE (Picea spp.), ARBORVITAE (Thuja spp.), and FIR (Abies spp.) have needles attached singly on the branches. Additionally, there are plants that appear to be "evergreen," but in fact lose their leaves each season. Some examples of deciduous conifers include: LARCH (Larix spp.), DAWN REDWOOD (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), and BALDCYPRESS (Taxodium distichum). While some may call all of the plants mentioned above as "pines," don't be a lumper. Check out the length and color of the needles and how the needles are attached to the branch. Ohio State University Extension FactSheet #1081, "Evergreen Trees for Ohio" is an excellent resource describing both evergreens and deciduous conifers too. F. 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 - COLEUS - (Coleus xhybridus). This is one plant that looks good all season, from planting until fall. A tropical plant, coleus has a wide range of colors and leaf shapes. In addition, they come in a variety of sizes, so make sure to read the label regarding height and width. If growing in containers, some of the larger cultivars have a tendency to "take over." Coleus normally grows in the shade, but many of the cultivars do quite well in the sun without fading. They do well in beds and containers. The age-old question is whether to deadhead or not to deadhead. The answer depends on how straggly or unkempt the plant looks when in bloom. Some cultivars don't bloom until very late in the season and won't require deadheading. Pinching the growing tips at planting encourages branching and a more compact plant earlier in the season. *PERENNIAL - PEONY - (Paeonia spp). Peonies are in full bloom in central Ohio and are absolutely spectacular! The common garden peony grows to around 3' tall and about as wide. The foliage is a nice dark green and barring any disease problems in the early spring, looks good all summer long in the perennial border. The blooms appear in mid- to late May and can last for around 2 weeks depending upon the temperature. The flowers are up to 6" across and come in a wide variety of colors; there are also single and double flowering cultivars. Many cultivars have blooms with incredible fragrance as well. Deadhead the blooms by taking the stems out down into the plant once the plant finishes blooming. If plants gets lanky or floppy during the growing season, shear the plants about 1/3 of the way back. *WOODY - RHODODENDRONS AND AZALEAS (Rhododendron spp.). Many rhododendrons and azaleas (both are in the genus Rhododendron with many different species) are at their peak now in northeast Ohio. This genus of plants sports a wide range of flower colors and puts on quite a show now at Holden Arboretum, at the Rhododendron Allee at OSU's Secrest Arboretum in Wooster, and at many other locations. Northeast Ohio has more successful rhododendron plantings than southwest Ohio for a simple reason, the greater occurrence in the northeast of acid soils. Rhododendrons thrive in organic acid soils with plenty of moisture but excellent drainage, which is not something seen everywhere in Ohio. Also site rhododendrons where there is protection from strong winds. So enjoy some of the almost innumerable types, for example the Rhododendron catawbiense cultivars such as 'Cunningham's White', 'English Roseum', 'Grandiflorum', 'Lee's Dark Purple' with its dark purple flowers in bud and blossom, 'Nova Zembla', and 'Rosy Elegans' with its consistent production of rosy purple flowers. * THE WEEKLY WEED - WILD PARSNIP (Pastinaca sativa). Wild parsnip plants are rising towards their full height and blooms are beginning to appear in southern Ohio. This Eurasian perennial weed can grow to impressive heights topping 8'. The umbellate flower arrangement looks like an upside-down umbrella; a characteristic shared by all members of the carrot family (Apiaceae (= Umbelliferae)). The umbels on wild parsnip are topped with tiny yellow flowers. Wild parsnip plants spend their first year as rosettes with leaves confined to growing from a short stem only a few inches above the ground. While in this stage, the plant produces a long, thick taproot. During subsequent years, the plant will generate a single, thick, deeply ridged, greenish-yellow stem that sprouts lateral branches topped with hundreds of clusters of yellow umbellate flowers. Wild parsnip is a prolific seed producer, and this is the primary means by which the plant spreads. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, branched, and have saw-toothed edges. Each leaf has 5-15 ovate to oblong leaflets with variable toothed edges and deep lobes. Gardeners should exercise extreme caution around this plant; the plant's juices can cause phytophotodermatitis to the skin. If plant juices contact skin, and the skin is exposed to sunlight, a severe rash or blistering can occur, as well as skin discoloration that may last several months. The toxic nature of the sap makes mechanical control of wild parsnip problematic. Plants are susceptible to glyphosate (e.g. Roundup) which may be the safest approach to controlling this non-native invasive weed.
3. GREEN SHORTS. A. A FEW CIPS TODAY - LESS RUNOFF TOMORROW. Perhaps your first question is, "What is a CIP?" The short answer is that it is a CONTOUR INFILTRATION PLANTING, a term coined by Dave Dyke in conjunction with his work with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) to describe a landscape planting constructed on the contour to capture and infiltrate storm water. Contour plantings are not new; they've been used in traditional agriculture for millennia. However, there are some significant differences between most agricultural contour plantings and CIPs. Most agricultural contour planting are designed to allow producers to grow row crops with minimal soil erosion on slopes, with storm water capture and infiltration as a secondary benefit/goal; while CIPs provide a method for landscapers to easily capture and infiltrate water on a slope to minimize storm water runoff and beautify the landscape. CIPs also may be used to direct water to desired areas. Unfortunately, there is little information on urban contour plantings for storm water management except for some related to the capturing of water for landscape plantings in arid regions of the US Southwest. Therefore, OSU Extension, Hamilton County, formed a partnership collaborative with several other entities to establish a demonstration CIP project in Delhi Township Park, Hamilton County. The partners include: Project Evergreen [ http://www.projectevergreen.com ]; "Horticulture Magazine"; the MSD; the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District; the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); the Delhi Township Park District (DTPD); and Tim Young, Landscape Designer, Delhi Flower and Garden Center Landscaping. Three CIPs were planted on May 22 in conjunction with Ohio Master Gardener Volunteer Week. The DTPD tilled the gardens and provided top soil, pine fines to amend the soil, and mulch. Hamilton County Master Gardener Volunteers and DTPD employees and volunteers planted the gardens. The CIPs will be part of a comprehensive storm water management strategy for that location, directing storm water around, rather than through, a picnic area and then infiltrate as much of it as possible into gardens instead of into the storm sewer system. The CIPs will eventually be connected to rain gardens. The combination of the CIPs with the rain gardens will allow water to become an asset, providing moisture to sustain gardens that beautify the landscape, rather than a liability to be treated at taxpayers' expense.
4. CLINIC CLIPS. Plant pathologists Nancy Taylor and Bridget Meiring have been busy examining plant disease samples. A juniper sample was confirmed to have Phytophthora root rot through serological testing. A Japanese maple was confirmed to have Verticillium wilt; symptoms included the typical greenish streaking under the bark and cultures confirmed the submitter's field diagnosis. The submitter (a landscaper) wanted to be sure since a finding of Verticillium will impact the choice of replacement plants. Finally, in the area of fruit we have seen winter injury causing dieback of the fruiting canes on red raspberry. Pear samples have been exhibiting blacking of the leaf edges which is appears to be mild frost/freeze damage, NOT fire blight!
5. BUGBYTES. A. BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG IN WARREN COUNTY. Joe Boggs shared an image with BYGLers of a brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) photographed last week on an ash tree in Warren County. This non-native bug was first identified in the eastern counties of Pennsylvania in 2001. Since then, the bug has spread westward across Pennsylvania, and it has also been found in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, West Virginia, and Virginia. It somehow hitchhiked over to Oregon and California, where it is now established. The bug was first reported in Ohio in Franklin County in 2007, and it was found again last year in Franklin County and verified in Mahoning County. The marmorated stink bug looks very similar to the native BROWN STINK BUG (Euschistus servus). Both have shield-shaped bodies, and both have mottled brownish markings. Indeed, it has been speculated that the similarity in the appearance and feeding habits between these two bugs may have contributed to the marmorated being overlooked in many locations in the U.S. The two bugs may be differentiated by the black and white banding on the antennae and along the edge of the abdomen that is very apparent on the marmorated The marmorated has wide host range and can become a very serious plant pest, particularly on fruits and vegetables. Both the nymphs and adults use their piercing mouthparts to puncture and disfigure fruits making them bruise, crack, and ooze juice. Severe feeding damage can render the fruits unmarketable. The bugs will also feed on beans, soybeans, and woody ornamental plants such as roses, maples, and crabapples. They produce stippling and necrotic spots on the leaves of trees and shrubs. Because several overlapping generations occur each season, the bugs move from crop to crop damaging multiple types of plants in each area. The brown marmorated stink bug may also present a serious nuisance problem to homeowners. The bugs collect in large numbers around homes in the fall to spend the winter in a warm structure. If smashed, they emit a foul odor. The bugs may be removed from a home by simply ushering them outdoors, or by using a "by-pass" vacuum cleaner which sends the bugs directly into a collection canister rather than through an impeller (a.k.a. "bug blender"). B. SCARLET OAK SAWFLY. Dave Shetlar reported finding scarlet oak sawfly (Caliroa quercuscoccineae) larvae munching on oak leaves in central Ohio. Despite its common name, the sawfly may be found on pin, black, red, and white oaks, as well as its namesake host. The larvae skeletonize leaves by feeding gregariously side-by-side on the lower leaf surface leaving behind the veins and upper leaf epidermis. Scarlet oak sawfly larvae are 1/4-1/2" long. Their semi-transparent bodies are flattened towards the front and tapered towards the back. The flattened area is trimmed in yellow with the gut contents visible through the cuticle making it appear as if a green line is running down the middle of its back. The tapered area is grayish-black to black. The larvae glisten in the sun and appear slug-like. This is due to their interesting habit of covering themselves with their own excrement which helps them stick to leaves and presumably dissuades predators. Their slimy appearance gives rise to another common name: oak slug sawfly. The sawfly spends the winter as late instar larvae inside cocoons in the leaf litter. Development is completed in the spring. Once the black, fly-like females are mated, they use their saw-like ovipositors to insert eggs in rows along major leaf veins. Populations found so far have been small with only a few leaves damaged. However, this sawfly should be closely monitored since there are 2-3 generations per season. Areas of southeast Ohio saw substantial defoliation from this sawfly in 1997 and 1998. C. THE LEAVES HAVE EYES. Jim Chatfield reported observing MAPLE EYESPOT GALLS on maples in northeast Ohio, or perhaps they were observing him (?). The galls appear as circular spots on the upper and lower leaf surfaces. They are produced by the midge fly, Acericecis ocellaris (Diptera Family: Cecidomyiidae). The midge's scientific name is very descriptive since ocellaris comes from the Latin word ocellus, meaning "eye". The galls consist of spots with dark red centers that are bounded by concentric rings of white, red, black, and occasionally yellow. Indeed, this striking ring arrangement makes the galls look like eyes. The midge flies spend the winter as pupae in the soil. Adults emerge in early spring and lay eggs on newly expanding leaves. The resulting maggots secrete chemicals that direct undifferentiated leaf tissue to form dimples (galls) around the maggots. The sessile maggots imbibe plant juices that ooze into their gall. The colorful concentric rings around the gall develop as the maggots mature. Once their development is complete, the maggots drop from the bottom of the leaf to pupate in the soil. There is only one generation per season. The damage caused by maple eyespot galls rarely matches their dramatic appearance. In some years, the midges produce enough galls to catch the eye. However, in most years, the galls are somewhat rare since the flies are eyed as fodder by a range of predators, parasitoids, and pathogens. D. ANTS IN LAWNS AND LANDSCAPES. Several BYGLers reported that they are receiving phone calls concerning ant mounds in lawns and landscapes. Dave Shetlar noted that BLACK PAVEMENT ANTS (Tetramorium caespitum) are the most likely culprits if the mounds are relatively small, measuring 2-4" across. BLACK FIELD ANTS (Formica subsericea) are the architects if the mounds are large and relatively flat, measuring 1-3' across and only a few inches tall. Pyramidal mounds that are 1-3' across and 1-2' tall are engineered by ALLEGHENY MOUND ANTS (F. excectoides). Black pavement ants are small and have pale legs, a brown to black thorax, and a black abdomen. Their habit of locating their underground colonies beside or beneath sidewalks gives rise to their common name. The ants scavenge for a wide variety of food including live and dead insects, honeydew from aphids, grease, etc. The ants are very protective of their feeding territory, and very intolerant of nearby colonies. They are well-known for their bare-tarsal brawls with battles sometime spilling across the entire width of sidewalks. Black field ants and Allegheny mound ants are both relatively large with foraging workers measuring around 1/4" in length. Both are also associated with aphids, or other plant-sucking insects. The ants protect the sucking insects by fending off predators. In return, the sucking insects provide the ants with high energy carbohydrates in the form of honeydew. Allegheny mound ants are one of the true mound-builders of the ant world. Their pyramidal mounds rise conspicuously above the surrounding landscape. Mound ants range in color from chestnut red, to black, to a combination of red and black. The ants are very aggressive, and they can use their powerful mandibles to deliver a noticeable pinching bite to a probing finger. However, their threat to people is inconsequential compared to their impact on plants. Mound ants are capable of killing small bushes and trees by injecting formic acid into wounds created by their mandibles. They use this capability to clear plants that shade their mounds. All vegetation, with the exception of large trees, may be killed within 40-50' of large, well-established mounds. Black field ants are much less accomplished mound-builders. They form large, low-profile mounds of loose soil. These ants do not inject formic acid into plants, so they are not direct plant killers. However, they often heap soil over low-growing plants and they will pile soil high onto plant stems. Their plant-smothering mounds have been known to cause plants to decline and die. In particular, they are sometimes considered a serious pest of turfgrass. These large black ants are also very aggressive, and they will attempt to bite using their powerful, well developed mandibles. Although both Allegheny mound ants and black field ants feed on honeydew produced by plant-sucking insects, they are also very effective scavengers and predators. The same is true of black pavement ants. The ants may be observed dragging live or dead cuisine back to their mounds to be surgically dismantled for protein. Since these ants are considered beneficial, management efforts should focus on dissuasion. For example, the pavement ants and field ants loathe thick, high-cut turfgrass. Repeated destruction of the mound ants abode can persuade them to locate elsewhere. E. EAB UPDATES. It's here - an updated FactSheet on the EMERALD ASH BORER (Agrilus planipennis) and treatment options! Ohio State University Extension's Ashalert FactSheet, "Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees From EAB" has been updated and is now a regional publication authored by scientists at Ohio State University, Michigan State University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin, and the University of Illinois. The FactSheet is available on the ashalert website at [ http://ashalert.osu.edu ] or at the following direct link at: [ http://ashalert.osu.edu/userfiles/EAB%20Insecticide%20Options%20Bulletin.pdf ] The publication can be a useful tool for those considering treating ash trees in hopes of protecting them from the lethal EAB. As the group discussed treatment options, Dave Shetlar mentioned that dryer soil conditions can have a negative impact on the successful uptake of systemic trunk and soil insecticides. It is recommended that these treatments be applied when the soil is moist, but not saturated or excessively dry. With some of the dry soil conditions reported, one might consider pre- and post-irrigation to aid in the uptake of the insecticide with around 3/4" of water applied a day prior to treatment, and 1.5" of water applied just after treatment. In other EAB news, officials with the Office of the State Entomologist in the University of Kentucky Entomology Department have announced two confirmed EAB infestations in Kentucky. These are the first findings of this destructive insect in the state. The discoveries resulted from Kentucky Division of Forestry and University of Kentucky officials investigating reports of dying ash trees in a private woodlot in Shelby County and a residential landscape in Jessamine County. F. GYPSY MOTH UPDATE. The state's suppression treatments have been completed; however, homeowners living outside the targeted suppression zones will soon be noticing gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars munching on oak leaves and other plant hosts. Dave Shetlar reported seeing 4th instars feeding in Delaware. While not as advanced in their larval development in northwest Ohio, Amy Stone reported their damage is becoming evident to the trained eye. The mottled caterpillars with rows of blue and red tubercles down the back will soon be noticed as they hide on the tree trunks during the day. Unfortunately, most people are not able to accurately estimate the amount of damage done by the larvae until more than 50% defoliation has occurred! By now, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is no longer effective and stronger insecticides will have to be used to control this pest. The leaf feeding caterpillars are very susceptible to most of the pyrethroid insecticides. G. WINDSHIELD WIPES. BYGLers also ran into a few other insect and mite problems this week including: * Curtis Young reported that PINE NEEDLE SCALE (Chionaspis pinifoliae) eggs are hatching in western Ohio, and crawlers are … crawling. The tiny, mobile, rusty-red first instar nymphs (crawlers) can be detected with a hand-lens. The crawlers are the life stage of the insect that is most susceptible to contact insecticides including soaps, oils, or standard insecticides labeled for use on the infested conifer species. Infested trees should be closely monitored because eggs may hatch over an extended period time requiring a second insecticide application to kill the late arrivers. A soil drench application of the systemic insecticide dinotefuran (e.g. Safari) in the fall will provide preemptive control of this armored scale next year. * Joe Boggs reported that the handiwork of two gall-making ERIOPHYID MITES are now appearing in Ohio, and are available for appreciation. These include the light-green to reddish-green, finger‑like "spindle galls" on the upper leaf surface of sugar maple produced by the eriophyid Vasates aceriscrumena, and on the upper leaf surface of black cherry produced by Phytoptus cerasicrumena (the so-called "cherry-ophyid mite"). Neither of these galls causes serious harm to their host trees.
6. DISEASE DIGEST. A. MOIST CHAMBER. The arrival of fungal spores too small to see, that then germinated and infected plants (still nothing we could observe with the naked eye), are now showing up as disease symptoms and signs a few weeks later. APPLE SCAB is present, and often heavy on susceptible crabapples. POWDERY MILDEW diseases were noted by BYGLers this past week on horsechestnut, ninebark, and crabapple. ORANGE RUST was identified on wild brambles at woods-edge, always a source of unwelcome inoculum for raspberry and blackberry production nearby. Incidence of ANTHRANOSE diseases on oak, sycamore, and ash varies widely throughout Ohio, which is not surprising since the environmental component of these diseases is crucial in terms of infections being favored by critical periods of cool, wet weather during leaf emergence in spring, and this varies from location to location.
7. TURF TIPS. A. SEEDHEAD PRODUCTION "KICKED INTO OVERDRIVE." Joe Rimelspach reported that the seedhead production in "improved" KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS had been "kicked into overdrive" with the recent dry, hot weather. Seedhead production during this time of the year is a natural occurrence. However, seedhead production was accelerated by high temperatures and lack of rainfall. The abundance of seedheads certainly makes the lawn look very unattractive. The seedheads are also low growing making them less likely to be mowed off. Turfgrass needs to be maintained at 2-3" in spring and 2 1/2-3" in summer, depending on the turfgrass species. Turf managers shouldn't lower the mowing height below the recommended mowing heights in an attempt to remove all of the seedheads. Thankfully, the unsightly seedheads will eventually disappear on their own allowing lawns to return to an aesthetically appealing uniformly green carpet. B. WHAT CAUSED MY LAWN TO TURN BROWN? Joe Rimelspach also reported that grass plants in some lawns in Central Ohio had turned brown. There are many reasons for lawns to go brown. One of the most common problems is lack of rain fall, especially on heavily compacted soil. Turfgrasses plants that are growing on heavily compacted soil tend to have very limited root systems. Moisture stress will cause them to turn brown very quickly. Other possible causes for brown lawns are a thick thatch layer (> 1/2"), scorching from catalytic converters where vehicles have been parked on lawns, tarps or garbage can lids left on lawns for a few days, and buried rock or gravel. There are also insects that can damage the lawn and turn them brown. Grubs and bluegrass billbug are two examples. Gary Gao had observed one area in his lawn that consistently turned brown very quickly each year. After two years of unsuccessful over-seeding, he dug up the dead grass this year and discovered that there was barely any soil underneath the turf. It was all gravel! He turned this area into a small flower bed and planted drought tolerant perennials. If a property owner wants to grow grass where rocks are buried, the rocks and gravel will need to removed and replaced with good top soil before seedling or sodding the area. Soil improvement and avoiding foot traffic on lawn will help lawn survive the dry weather in summertime.
8. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS. A. HANG THEM HIGH - BUT "MITE" THEY DIE? Dave Dyke reported that until this past week, he had not seen nor heard of significant insect or disease problems this spring in Cincinnati area greenhouses. However, one grower's experience illustrates that while some problems might be out of sight, they shouldn't be out of mind. The grower was producing baskets of NEW GUINEA IMPATIENS far overhead in his greenhouse. The baskets were irrigated with drip-tubing which can be a very efficient watering system since the baskets do not need to be lowered for watering. Unfortunately, the watering system also meant the baskets were not being closely inspected. The grower learned the cost of infrequent plant inspections when he finally noticed significant TWOSPOTTED SPIDER MITE (Tetranychus urticae) damage on the hanging baskets. Growers should remember that populations of these mites can explode very quickly on the hot, dry foliage growing under the conditions provided by such an overhead production system. Such plants should be inspected frequently, or they just "mite" die. For further information on twospotted spider mites, including control measures, refer to University of California Online Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, UC Pest Management Guidelines, "Floriculture and Ornamental Nurseries, Twospotted Spider Mites" at: [ http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r280400311.html ]. B. FLESHY WOODY FUNGI. One of the great things about teaching is the opportunity to learn. Opportunity knocks for Jim Chatfield and a group of other BYGLers and OSU faculty including Erik Draper, Gary Gao, Denise Ellsworth, and Joe Boggs. Next Autumn quarter, they will help teach Plant Pathology 300, "Fleshy Woody Fungi," formerly taught by the most wonderful Lanny Rhodes. We will experiment some with the class: there will be traditional Columbus-based students, but we will also offer the course to others, including the green industry, through OSU's Continuing Education unit and there will be online aspects as well as fungal forays to several Ohio locations. We will update developments for this course from time-to-time in the BYGL, for example relating enrollment information, and highlighting relevant fleshy fungi for horticulturists, from Armillaria to Xylaria, and expounding upon universal veils, gill types and other mycological morphology. For this week, straight from the pages of one of the books we will use with the course "National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms," let's just savor some of the curious and curiouser common names for woodland fungi. Fleshy fungal names run the gamut: from hated amanita to the admirable bolete, from angel's wings to dead man's fingers. Sometimes the fungus itself seems somewhat conflicted. Consider, for example, the elegant stinkhorn. One of the instructors' favorites is wolf's milk slime (Lycogala epidendrum). Sounds dreadful and a bit unappetizing. One of the highlights of the course though, will be the mycological feasts late in the quarter, featuring such delicacies as puffball parmesan and the delights of corn smut fritters and whatnot. Many fungi have food allusions in their very names, though not all of these are truly edible. There is apricot jelly, fried-chicken fungus, and even the black-and-blue pairing of beefsteak polypore and blue-cheese polypore. For breakfasts in Wonderland, scrambled-egg slime, and for dessert - chocolate tube slime. Good both for the fungi Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus) and equally so for Slippery Jill (Suillus sublutens) if not for characters in the real world. Rest assured, though, the mantra of: "There are old mushroom hunters and bold mushroom hunters, but no old bold mushroom hunters" will be heeded. We will go to great lengths to insure that the final exam ... will not truly be your last meal. So, if in the future you do not want to be known as the dunce cap fungus or even thought to be as ignorant as a pig's ear gomphus, pay heed to our fungal updates throughout the summer and consider enrolling in Plant Pathology 300 this fall. Be there, or risk being known as a stinky squid/green slime/earth tongue/poison pie/ pigskin poison puffball! C. BIZ BUZZ. CONTINUING THOUGHTS ON TRAINING. Training is making the complex and difficult seem simple. Training requires: a competent trainer; equipment, tools, supplies, appropriate place and training aids; a willing learner; a training plan; two-way communication and practice; and much patience by both teacher and learner. As you consider who should do the training for your business keep in mind the following points. Training the trainer so they are providing information you approve. Both you and the trainer should be involved in planning the training and allow for freedom to be creative. And remember to reward a job well done. As we conclude this short introduction to training employees, Dr. Bernie Erven, Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University, suggests these take-home points: *Every new employee needs some orientation and training *Planning is the basis of success with orientation and training *Success in orientation and training requires training in how to do both well.
9. COMING ATTRACTIONS. A. SOUTHWEST OHIO BYGLIVE! The 3rd monthly Southwest Ohio BYGLive! Diagnostic Walk-About for 2009 will be held Monday, June 8, from 12:00-3:00 pm., at the Stanley M. Rowe Arboretum, 4600 Muchmore Rd., Indian Hill, 45243. 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. For more information, contact Joe Boggs at 513-946-8993. B. BYGLive! AT TOLEDO BOTANICAL GARDEN (TBG). Don't miss this month's BYGLive! Diagnostic Walk-About on Monday, June 1, 2009, at Toledo Botanical Garden. The group will meet at the flag pole near the main parking lot off of Elmer Drive, and the walk will begin at 1:00 p.m. If you have any questions, about the walk, contact Amy Stone at 419-578-6783, or by email at: [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]. C. LAST REMINDER: HAMILTON COUNTY EXTENSION RELOADED TOUR. This tour of 4 leading Cincinnati area greenhouses will be led and conducted by a spectrum of OSU Extension educators and specialists on June 3, 2009. The focus of the tour will be to observe and learn greenhouse Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and cultural strategies to enable growers to produce better plants at a lower cost while using less pesticides, labor and energy. Pesticide recertification credits will also be available including: 1 hour of core (commercial); and 5.5 hrs in categories 6 and 6D (commercial). All horticultural professionals are invited to participate in the tour and subsequent Cincinnati Flower Growers Association meeting. If you will be participating in the tour please RSVP to Kim Martini at (513) 946-8989 or by e-mail at: [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]. If you will be attending the meeting, please RSVP to West Hills Greenhouses by Monday June 1 at (513) 922-2378 or by e-mail at: [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]. To see a complete itinerary of the tour, visit the OSU Extension, Hamilton County, website at [ http://hamilton.osu.edu/Horticulture/professional-horticulture ]. D. GREATER CINCINNATI BRANCH OF THE PROFESSIONAL GROUNDS MANAGEMENT SOCIETY (PGMS) ANNUAL REGIONAL MEETING AND SITE VISITATION is scheduled for July 23 and 24, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Program information, schedules, and registration forms are available on the PGMS website at: [ http://www.pgms.org ].
10. BYGLOSOPHY. A garden is evidence of faith. It links us with all the misty figures of the past who also planted and were nourished by the fruits of their planting. - Gladys Taber
Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions. OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity, or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veteran's status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.
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| Last Updated on Friday, 29 May 2009 00:27 |
