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BUCKEYE YARD AND GARDEN LINE 2009-05 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 5th 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 5th conference call: Barb Bloetscher (C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC)); Joe Boggs (Hamilton); Jim Chatfield (Horticulture); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Denise Ellsworth (Summit): Gary Gao (Delaware); Dave Goerig (Mahoning); Bridget Meiring (CWEPPDC); Dave Shetlar (Entomology); Nancy J. Taylor (CWEPPDC); Curtis Young (Allen); 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 1-6, 2009, with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Wednesday, May 6 at 6:55 p.m. Many BYGLers from the north included snow in their weekly reports. Although it won't likely hang around long, many are eagerly awaiting warmer temperatures.
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 222 to 477. Following is a report of GDD for several locations around Ohio as of May 6, 2009: Painesville, 222; Cleveland, 233; Toledo, 283; Canfield, 236; Lima, 232; Wooster, 293; Coshocton, 312; Columbus, 380; Springfield, 393; Dayton, 398; Cincinnati, 439; Ironton, 449; Portsmouth, 452; and Piketon, 477. 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. Elm leafminer, adult emergence, 219; common chokecherry, full bloom, 221; alder leafminer, adult emergence, 224; honeylocust plant bug, egg hatch, 230; sargent crabapple, first bloom, 230; common lilac, first bloom, 234; Ohio buckeye, first bloom, 245; common horsechestnut, 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; Japanese kerria, full bloom, 342; common horsechestnut, full bloom, 344; red chokeberry, full bloom, 351; doublefile viburnum, first bloom, 353; Pagoda dogwood, first bloom, 363; red Java weigela, first bloom, 365; black cherry, first bloom, 368; common sweetshrub, first bloom, 371; lesser peach tree borer, adult emergence, 372; Ohio buckeye, full bloom, 374; holly leafminer, adult emergence, 375; Vanhoutte spirea, full bloom, 406; euonymus scale (first generation), egg hatch, 406; 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; and oystershell scale, egg hatch, 497. B. "MIDWEST HOME FRUIT PLANTING GUIDE" SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES. Gary Gao reported that the OSU Extension Bulletin #940, "Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide," has been selling like hot cakes. More than 1,200 copies have been sold through the OSU Extension Media Distribution Office since February, 2009. Oakland Nursery in Delaware sold 15 copies of this bulletin in about one week. The nursery manager purchased 12 more copies for his store. The authors of the bulletin would like to attribute this overwhelming success to the quality of the product. However, cooler heads also pointed to the extremely strong demand for information on local food production and home gardening. Well, it is probably both. Garden centers in Ohio that would like to purchase a few copies of "Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide" for resale are encouraged to order the publication from their local Extension office. Go to this list [ http://extension.osu.edu/counties.php ] for contact information of OSU Extension offices. "Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide" sells for $9.50 plus tax per copy. It is also a good idea to purchase a few copies of the OSU Extension Bulletin #780, "Controlling Insects and Diseases in Home Fruit Plantings," for sale. It is $5.00 plus tax. It is great to see several garden centers serving as an extension of OSU Extension offices. Garden center owners are encouraged to email Gary Gao at [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ] if they carry these fruit bulletins for sale. He would like to develop a list of the garden centers that carry them. C. PLANTING APPLE TREES. Gary Gao received several phone calls about planting apple trees. There are several factors to consider. The key factors are disease resistance, cross pollination, and correct planting depth. Most apple cultivars are susceptible to a few fungal diseases. For home gardeners, it is very important to select disease resistant cultivars to reduce pesticide (fungicide) input. For a list of these cultivars, check out the OSU Extension Fact Sheet, #HYG‑1401‑00, "Growing Apples in the Home Orchard," at: [ http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg‑fact/1000/1401.html ]. Most apple cultivars require two different cultivars that bloom at the same time for cross pollination purposes. Otherwise, they will not set fruit or the yield will be much reduced. Gardeners can search "apple bloom chart" or "pollination chart" for successful pairings. Follow this link: [ http://www.acnursery.com/apple_pollinizer.pdf ] for more information. Fortunately, a few crabapple cultivars (i.e. Sargent crabapple) can be a good source of pollen. Another option is to purchase apple trees with several cultivars grafted onto the same tree. They are called "3 in 1" or "5 in 1." Proper planting depth is very critical for successful apple production. Most, if not all, apple trees are grafted. The area where the scion or cultivar is grafted to the rootstock is called graft union. The graft union has to be 2-3" above the soil line. Otherwise, the cultivar portion of the tree will root, and the size controlling mechanism will be circumvented; potentially turning a dwarf apple tree into a standard sized tree. For additional information, please refer to the "Midwest Home Fruit Production Guide." D. DEADHEADING TULIPS AND DAFFODILS. Gary Gao reported that tulip and daffodil blooms started to fade in Central Ohio. It is a good idea to “deadhead” tulips and daffodils before they go into seed production. Deadheading not only keeps the plants look neat, but also helps plants channel more nutrients into the nourishment of bulbs. Last, but not least, the remaining flowers will bloom a few days longer. It is time well spent, unless there is a million of them. That could be a monumental task! E. VEGETABLE GARDENING 101 - May 7, 2009. Ready, set, plant! It is hard to imagine that there is such a huge temperature difference between southern and northern Ohio. Gardeners in some parts of southern Ohio may start planting warm season vegetables now. Granted, there is still risk of frost. The chance for a frost decreases as time goes. Frost protection will need to be provided, if a spring frost is predicted. However, remember warm season crops such as tomatoes and peppers require warm soil to thrive. Cool, wet soils can lead to root rots and poor growth. Since most gardeners grow tomatoes, let see how gardeners can select the "right" tomato cultivars. There are probably more tomato cultivars available to the home gardener than any other garden vegetable. One publication estimated that the total number of tomato cultivars is more than 7,500. There are about 600 of them available commercially. More and more tomato cultivars are released each year. It is not realistic to list all of the tomato cultivars. One good reference for garden seed cultivars is a book entitled "Garden Seed Inventory" by Seed Savers Exchange. There are also websites now that list tomato cultivars. When selecting tomato cultivars, it is a good idea to talk to local garden center employees, local gardeners, friends and relatives, and Extension professionals to find out what cultivars do well in your area. Another good source is All America Selections (AAS). Its website address is [ http://www.all‑americaselections.org/ ] AAS conducts national trials of flower and vegetable cultivars. AAS winners are good cultivars to start. Last, but not least, you can just experiment by trying one or two new cultivars each year. When choosing tomato cultivars, keep in mind the different ripening periods. Tomatoes are usually categorized as early, mid‑season or late. It is a good idea to select several tomato cultivars so that you will have an abundant supply of tomatoes throughout the season. Another consideration is whether the tomato cultivar you choose is determinate or indeterminate in growth habit. Determinate (D) tomato plants grow to a certain height and then stop. They also flower and set all their fruit within a relatively short period of time. This is an advantage if the tomatoes are being grown primarily for canning purposes. Determinate plants tend to be smaller plants, and are suited for caging or sprawling. Indeterminate tomato plants grow, flower and set fruit over the entire growing season. Since plants continue to elongate, they are larger and tend to get "viney" if not pruned. They need tall stakes and cages. Some of the indeterminate cultivars can easily grow to 8' tall and have the potential to grow up to 30‑50' tall, if given enough growing days. Another characteristic to look for when choosing tomato cultivars is disease resistance. Many cultivar names are followed by one or more letters indicating resistance to Verticillium wilt (V), Fusarium wilt (F), or nematodes (N). Disease resistance is an important consideration for home gardeners to reduce a reliance on fungicides to manage diseases. 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 ] . *PERENNIAL OF THE WEEK - WILLOW BLUE-STAR (Ansonia tabernaemontana). Gardeners can't miss with this 2-season performer that is in full bloom in central Ohio gardens at this time. The pale blue star-shaped flowers are on top of 36-42" stems. It takes full sun but does best in light shade. After the plant finishes its bloom period, deadhead the flowers but leave the foliage. It has decent aesthetic qualities during the summer; in the fall, it shines once again when the foliage turns and incredible golden-yellow. *WOODY ORNAMENTAL OF THE WEEK - DWARF FOTHERGILLA (Fothergilla gardenia). This plant is another 2-season performer that does well in the perennial border or as a foundation planting. Growing around 3-5' tall, dwarf fothergilla is in full bloom in central Ohio with its unusual bottlebrush-like, frilly white flowers that have a wonderful fragrance. The foliage looks great all summer and then in late fall, it turns a combination of yellows, oranges, and reds. 'Mt.Airy' is one cultivar with exceptional flower and fall color. Place it in an area of the garden that has slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil. *ANNUAL OF THE WEEK - SWEET ALLYSUM (Lobularia maritima). This cool weather plant is in brilliant color at this time in borders and gardens. Sweet allysum is a ground cover annual that gets around 6-8" tall and spreads to around 12" in width. The flowers are purple, white, blue and pink and bloom in the early part of the growing season. Sweet allysum also withstands light frosts. When it warms up, sweet allysum tends to rest and doesn't look very good. Get through this stage by shearing after it completes its spring bloom. Then, in late summer when temperatures drop, it comes on strong once more and blooms until hit by a hard freeze. Sweet allysum also reseeds in the garden, but usually not to the point of becoming a headache. *WEED OF THE WEEK – HAIRY BITTERCRESS (Cardamine hirsuta). Any gardeners/landscapers that are not using pre-emergence herbicide as the backbone of their weed control program in ornamental beds are now up to their elbows in winter annuals. Worst yet, is the fact that these plants are all going to seed right now. One of these prolific seeders is BYGL's weed of the week. Hairy bittercress is a winter or summer annual that sometimes acts like a biennial. This low growing member of the Cruciferae (Mustard family) has multiple fruiting stems that bolt upward from a basal rosette of pinnate leaves. The flowers are white, four-petaled and very small. They persist throughout the life of the plant, and when fertilized, produce a long slender capsule of seeds that explode when disturbed after they dry.
3. GREEN SHORTS. A. THE CINCINNATI ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDEN (CZBG) SHOOTS FOR GREEN PLATINUM. The CZBG is in the final stages of the construction of a beautiful and massive new multi-million dollar entryway. What makes this endeavor most notable is that the zoo's goal is to obtain platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the entryway. Three new parking areas are also being installed in conjunction with the entryway. Together, these projects incorporate a veritable showcase of green storm management and environmental systems. These include: *Pervious pavers throughout the entryway plaza. These 4" thick pavers sit on top of a 6" layer of 1/2" sharp gravel on top of a 2' layer of 4" gravel. A finer, sharp gravel is used between the pavers. *A 10,000 gallon tank that receives all rainfall draining from entryway roofs. Water from the tank will be used to irrigate the extensive plantings in the plaza area. *Three new rain gardens to collect storm water. *Pervious concrete in the parking areas. The main parking area also contains huge tanks to collect surges of storm water for slow release into the storm water system. *Extensive plantings throughout the parking and entryway areas. These plantings include over 200 trees and numerous color beds of annuals and perennials. These planting will serve the dual purpose of trial/display gardens. A Go Green Garden will be a special feature of the entryway. The garden will replace the Botanical Center at the old entryway and will feature things individuals can do at home to go green. These include: A "Why Trees Matter" educational section; a geothermal well; solar panels; a recycling board; a demonstration green roof; a rain garden; a composting and soils display area; and an interactive area where the public can interact with horticulturists and zoo volunteers. The area will also include computers to permit public access to online horticultural and "green" sites. 4. CLINIC CLIPS. Clinic personnel enjoyed a busy week with insect related phone calls, emails and samples, including European pine sawfly damage to potted red pines, oak gall midge maggots falling from oak flowers in preparation for pupation, and a sample of a Nostoc ball, which is a colony of blue-green algae strands. Other interesting insects this week include Eastern spruce gall adelgid in a Christmas tree nursery and bird cherry-oat aphids in a stand of winter wheat. An azalea was diagnosed with winter leaf and bud injury, anthracnose and Pestalotia leaf spot. Pestalotia leaf spot is usually associated with winter injury; when the plant becomes weakened, it becomes susceptible to this opportunistic fungus. A preventive fungicide can be used on new foliage to protect it from azalea anthracnose, however no fungicides are recommended for the control of pestalotia, just good sanitation and maintenance of healthy plants.
5. BUGBYTES. A. ROSE WOES. The distinctive "windowpane effect" caused by the feeding activity of BRISTLY ROSESLUG SAWFLY (Cladius difformis) larvae is now appearing on rose leaves in southwest Ohio. Joe Boggs noted that the culprits may be hard to find since most of the first generation larvae have now pupated. This is a "season-long" pest with as many as six generations occurring in Ohio. Larvae will certainly reappear and the damage will escalate with each successive generation. The semi-transparent pale green larvae are covered with short bristles; however, the bristles are difficult to detect without magnification. Early instar larvae feed as leaf skeletonizers on the lower leaf surface. The upper epidermis remains intact and eventually turns white, producing the "windowpane" symptom. Later instars feed between the main veins, producing holes and "see-through" leaves. High populations spawned by the multiple generations of this sawfly can produce significant injury to roses. Adding to the rose woes caused by the sawfly, Dave Shetlar reported that the depredations of ROSE MIDGE (Dasineura rhodophaga) should also soon become evident in central and southern Ohio. The midge fly larvae tunnel below flower buds, causing the buds to shrivel and turn brown. They also tunnel into new growth, causing new shoots to die and plants to be stunted. High populations can seriously affect plant growth and flower production. Like the sawfly, the midge fly also has multiple generations per season. Damage by these rose pests can be prevented by making a soil drench application of imidacloprid (e.g. Merit) or dinotefuran (e.g. Safari) at the time leaf buds start to break. Dave Shetlar noted that it is not too late to reduce the season-long impact of these multiple generation pests. An application made now will help stem the tide of damage caused by successive generations of both pests. B. HAWTHORN HORRORS. Joe Boggs and Dave Dyke reported that "blotch" mines produced by the HAWTHORN LEAFMINER (Profenusa canadensis) are now very evident and HAWTHORN COCKSCOMB GALLS produced the midge fly, Trishormomyia crataegifolia , are now almost fully expanded in southwest Ohio. Larvae of the leafmining sawflies live between the upper and lower leaf surfaces where they consume leaf parenchyma producing large, reddish-brown, blister‑like blotch mines. The mines usually extend from the leaf margin toward the midvein. The sawfly has one generation per year and larvae appear to be in the final instar stage meaning that most of the damage for this season has already occurred. Imidacloprid (e.g. Merit) has proven effective in controlling this sawfly leafminer when applied as a soil drench in October or November. Hawthorn cockscomb galls arise from veins on the underside of the leaves of their namesake host. Currently, the elongated galls are green and measure around 1/2-3/4" in length. Mature galls will redden and develop irregular surfaces causing them to resemble a cockscomb. However, their current pod-like appearance imparts their other common name of HAWTHORN POD GALLS. Opening the hollow galls will reveal the tiny white, semi-transparent midge fly maggots that are responsible for directing plant gall formation. The galls do not disrupt vascular flow in the leaf veins, so infested leaves remain functional. Although the galls cause little harm to the health of the tree, heavily galled leaves become deformed and detract of the aesthetic value of infested trees. As an interesting side feature, Joe and Dave also observed CEDAR-QUINCE RUST infections on several of the midge galls (see "Disease Digest" below). C. GYPSY MOTH TREATMENTS UNDERWAY. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced that aerial treatments designed to slow the spread and suppress the gypsy moth have begun in Ohio. Treatments typically begin about two weeks following egg hatch. Treatments are administered using a low-flying aircraft that flies just above tree tops. Treatments normally occur during early morning hours when weather conditions are ideal. In order for successful application, the following elements are crucial: high humidity, low temperature and low wind. Ohioans can locate maps of treatment blocks by visiting [ www.agri.ohio.gov ] and clicking on "Gypsy Moth Program" located under the "Featured Programs" section. Daily updates regarding treatment progression throughout the state can be received by calling (614) 387-0907 any time after 5:00 p.m Gypsy moths are invasive insects that attack trees and shrubs by defoliation. In its caterpillar stage the moth feeds on the leaves of trees and shrubs and is especially fond of oak. In Ohio, 49 counties are currently under gypsy moth quarantine regulations. This year, 21 Ohio counties will receive treatments. For more information about gypsy moth, its quarantine or specific treatment locations, visit: [ www.agri.ohio.gov ]. D. SPRINGTAILS LIKE SPINACH. Celeste Welty, OSU Fruit and Vegetable Entomologist, reported seeing massive numbers of the GARDEN SPRINGTAIL (Bourletiella hortensis) all over most of the seedling vegetables and soil in a Columbus community garden, both in plots with straw mulch and without. These tiny teardrop-shaped insects were on spinach, Swiss chard, basil, ground cherry, eggplant, pepper, kale and lettuce especially. This springtail became a noticeable problem in 2005 in Columbus, and has caused serious problems on sugarbeets in Michigan over the past few years. A commercial cabbage grower reported losing an entire field to this pest. *Dave Goerig reported observing AZALEA LACE BUG (Stephanitis pyriodes) nymphs crawling about on their namesake host in northeast Ohio. This means damage should soon become evident. Azalea lace bugs use their piercing/sucking mouth parts to feed on the underside of the leaves. Their feeding damage produces tiny yellow or whitish spots (stippling) on the upper leaf surface. Lace bugs also deposit unsightly hard, black, varnish-like spots of excrement onto the leaf surface as they feed. Heavy feeding from large infestations may result in large, yellow, blistered areas on leaves, chlorotic, yellowed leaves and early leaf drop. Damaging populations can be controlled by applying a properly labeled insecticide to the underside of leaves. *Joe Boggs and Dave Dyke reported that BOXWOOD LEAFMINER (Monarthropalpus flavus) adult midge flies are on-the-wing in southwest Ohio. Indeed, they indicated that infested boxwoods were festooned with clouds of flying midges, and thousands were found hanging in spider webs. The adult leafminers superficially resemble miniature mosquitoes; however, they have bright orange abdomens. Eggs will soon be inserted between the upper and lower leaf surfaces to initiate the next generation. An application made now of imidacloprid (e.g. Merit and generics); clothianidin (e.g. Arena or Aloft); or thiamethoxam (e.g. Meridian) will reduce damage during the upcoming season by killing 1st instar larvae soon after they hatch from the eggs. *Dave and Joe also reported that black locust trees are beginning to bloom in Cincinnati. Full bloom of black locust is a good phenological indicator for the emergence of EMERALD ASH BORER (Agrilus planipennis) beetles.
6. DISEASE DIGEST. A. RUST NEVER SLEEPS. Rust diseases are some of the most fascinating fungal diseases in nature. Two were noted by BYGLers this past week. Jim Chatfield noted may-apple rust at Johnson Woods Nature Preserve in northeast Ohio and Joe Boggs noted a most unusual incidence of one of the cedar rusts on hawthorn in southwest Ohio. MAYAPPLE RUST is a spectacular annual reminder that plant pathogens interacting with plants is part of the fabric of nature, not just a landscape or garden aberration. The bright orange pustules of the mayapple rust fungus (Puccinia podophylli) are now becoming more and more evident on the parasol-like leaves of may-apple in woodlands throughout the state. The disease is seen as yellow spots as symptoms on the upper leaf surfaces and incredibly bright orange pustules of the rust fungus itself on the undersurface of the leaves. In some cases these pustules result in major distortion and early senescence of the leaves. This is an autoecious rust, occurring only on mayapples, not going back and forth between two different plants such as with cedar rusts (junipers and rosaceous hosts) or white pine blister rust (white pines and gooseberries). Populations of mayapples in the woods seem to handle the annual occurrence of this disease each year and no controls are recommended for these habitats. CEDAR RUST ON HAWTHORN COCKSCOMB GALL. Say what? This is probably the only way to get entomomaniac Joe Boggs to notice a fungal disease! Joe was taking pictures of the Hawthorn Cockscomb Gall induced by the midge Trishormomyia crataegifolia, when lo and behold he noticed that there were orange-ish areas on the galls, caused by one of the Gymnosporangium species that causes cedar rusts (cedar-quince rust, cedar hawthorn rust, cedar-apple rust) on hawthorns. Remember that insect galls on plants are made up of plant cells, induced to be homes for their young by gall insects, but made up nevertheless of plant tissue, and so the rust fungus was actually infecting the plant leaf tissue and not the insect.
7. TURF TIPS. A. ATAENIUS TIME. Dave Shetlar reported that Vanhoutte (Spiraea x vanhouttei) is in full bloom in central Ohio. This is a good phenological indicator for peak egg laying activity of BLACK TURFGRASS ATAENIUS (Ataenius spretulus). Ataenius beetles spend the winter in protected sites, such as under leaves in woods. As the weather warms in the spring, they begin moving into turfgrass 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 or bridalwreath (S. prunifolia) spirea. Ataenius grubs can be managed by treating preventively with imidacloprid (e.g. Merit) or clothianidin (e.g. Arena) when the spireas are in full bloom. Clothianidin provides the added benefit of taking out turfgrass caterpillars as well as annual white grubs, billbugs and chinch bugs later in the season. 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. B. RED THREAD RULES. Joe Rimelspach reported that red thread (Laetisaria fuciformis) is starting to occur on perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and Kentucky bluegrass in Ohio. Red thread is most active between the temperatures of 55-77F, but can occur into the 80's and when the leaf blades stay wet for long periods of time. Red thread appears as circular to irregular shaped patches that are straw to pinkish in color, and overall give the turf a rather "ragged look." Under wet or humid conditions the patches may appear pinkish red in color with red strands (sclerotia) extending from the leaf blades. Additionally, pink cottony balls may be present on the grass leaf blades and look similar to cotton candy or bubble gum. 8. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS. A. HAMILTON COUNTY EXTENSION RELOADED TOUR - A LEARNING AND PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDIT OPPORTUNITY. 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. OSU Extension Educators and Specialists/Speakers will include: Dave Dyke (tour leader), Extension Educator, Commercial Floriculture, Hamilton County (513) 505-1202 (cell); Julie Crook, Program Assistant, Hamilton County; Luis Canas, Entomology Specialist, OARDC; Claudio Pasian, Floriculture Specialist; Dennis Lewandowski, Plant Pathology Specialist, OARDC; Peter Ling, Horticultural Engineering Specialist, OARDC; Michelle Jones, D.C. Kiplinger Chair, OARDC; and Joanne Kick-Raack, State Coordinator, Pesticide Education Program. The tour will end at a meeting of the Cincinnati Flower Growers Association at 5 p.m. hosted by Linda and Roger Feist, West Hills Greenhouses, 701 Feist Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45238, (513) 922-2378 [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ] at The Farm, 239 Anderson Ferry Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45238. The meeting will include the restaurant's wonderful dinner buffet ($20.00 charge), a tour summary by Extension Educators and Specialists entitled, "What was seen and learned during our greenhouse visits," and a 1 hour presentation by Joanne Kick-Raack on "Greenhouse Pesticide Regulatory Compliance." All horticultural professionals are invited to participate in the tour and subsequent meeting. If you will be participating in the tour please RSVP to Kim Martini at (513) 946-8989 or [ 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 [ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ]. Go to [ http://hamilton.osu.edu/Horticulture/professional-horticulture ] for a complete tour itinerary. Pesticide recertification credits available: 1 hour of core (commercial) & 5.5 hrs, categories 6 and 6D (commercial). B. BIZ BUZZ. "STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND" CONTINUED. If a good foundation is laid during orientation, training the employee to handle the first tasks logically follows. Orientation information on the business's core values and its mission and goals should also be carried into this phase of training along with specific tasks and job duties. It is important to help employees understand their connection early on, to understanding how they fit into the bigger piece of the pie and that their job is important to the overall success of the company. Employees should see this and all future training as an important addition to their careers. According to Dr. Bernie Erven, Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University, most training in small businesses is on-the-job training; that more training is done by co-workers than by supervisors; and in the absence of formal training, employees either quit or eventually figure out what works and doesn't work. Effective training helps: workers - attain their career and personal goals; and employers - attain their business goals.
9. COMING ATTRACTIONS. A. PLANT DIAGNOSTIC ACADEMY (PDA). Check out this intensive 3-day training program consisting of a hands-on approach to learning or refining plant diagnostic skills. These skills include learning key plant identification characteristics, discovering the process to properly diagnose plant problems, identifying woody plant diseases, detecting insect and mite problems, and determining how plants respond to cultural and environmental problems. Diagnostic walks and hundreds of plant samples will be used to help participants identify plant problem symptoms. Teaching will also focus on developing effective strategies for managing plant problems. This experiential program will be held on May 19, 20 and 21, 2009, at the Cox Arboretum and Gardens Metropark in Dayton, Ohio. Registration deadline is May 12, and classroom space is limited. Registration fee is $250, which includes all meals, snacks and class materials. The PDA is hosted by the OSU ENLTT and the OSU Woodland Stewards Team. OSU Extension instructors include Dave Apsley, Joe Boggs, Jim Chatfield, Erik Draper and Kathy Smith. For more information contact Kathy Smith at 614-688-3136 or visit the Ohio Woodland Stewards website at [ http://woodlandstewards.osu.edu ] and look under "Workshops." B. SOUTHWEST OHIO BYGLIVE!. The 2nd 2009 Southwest Ohio BYGLive! Diagnostic Walk-About will be held Monday, May 11th, from 12:00-3:00 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 onto SR741/Springboro Pike (first major intersection). 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" (drive all the way around the regular parking lot; the Overflow entrance is on the right). For more information, contact Joe Boggs at 513-946-8993.
10. BYGLOSOPHY. The rust fungus infecting the insect-induced gall on hawthorn reminds us of the complex interactions that occur in nature. Parasites infecting plant tissue that was induced into abnormal growth by an insect. Yikes. Along a similar vein, here is this from satirist Jonathan Swift: "So, naturalists observe, a flea Hath smaller fleas that on him prey; And these have smaller still to bite 'em; And so proceed ad infinitum Thus every poet, in his kind Is bit by him that comes behind."
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, 08 May 2009 12:49 |
