*Recent Problems:
Ash trees - possible ash yellows or
eriophyid mites causing witches' broom formations - also lack of
water/drought causing leaf marginal necrosis on other ash trees.
Primrose indoors - marginal necrosis -
possible causes might include natural senescence of lower leaves, salt
buildup in the growing medium, high light.
Drip irrigation problems on mature shrubs and trees -
root systems have grown beyond the reach of the drip system and plants
are showing drough symptoms as a result.
Spruces dying from the top down - possible western spruce
budworm.
Brown turf - most likely caused by mowing too short -
recommended height is 2-1/2 to 3 inches.
Mushrooms in lawns - as soon as the sun comes out and
things dry out, they are generally gone.
Water quality issues for greenhouse/nursery crop
production - well water versus city water - depends on water analysis.
Solid garlic bulbs - sometimes these 'rounds' are caused
by inadequate cold temperatures during overwintering. Usually they will
form segments or cloves following proper chilling during winter months.
Pear slugs on cotoneaster - it's getting a little late in
the growing season to try to control these as freezing temperatures
will put a stop to them. If they persist next season, a contact
insecticide could be used.
Vagabond galls on cottonwoods - don't really harm the
trees but can be pruned out if needed.
Powdery mildew on zucchini - another pest (fungus) that
does not really harm the plants - it's late in the season and controls
are not warranted.
*Help for Choosing Trees: The Northern Trees
site (http://orb.at.ufl.edu/TREES/index.html)
helps consumers select trees in USDA Hardiness Zones 2-7. The site
is a cooperative effort between Univ. of Fla., Rutgers Univ. and
USDA Forest Service. The site was designed to provide extensive
cultural and maintenance information. It allows user to develop
lists of suitable trees based on soils, sites and plant attributes.
The information is accompanied by photos. There's also a link for
trees suitable for Zones 8-11.
*Abstract from Poster Presented at
the American Society for Horticultural Science conference: 'Creating
Videos to Enhance Student and Public Educational Opportunities in
Landscape Management' by Sloane M. Scheiber, Jennifer Hitchcock, Sudeep
Vyapari, and Lance Osborne, University of Florida.
"A series of video clips and
narrated PowerPoints were developed to aid in the presentation of common
horticultural techniques. To determine the most effective format for
delivery of horticultural subject matter, video clips and PowerPoints
were developed for three topic areas and presented to two target
audience groups. Target audiences consisted of Master Gardeners (Orange
and Osceola County, Fla.) and future horticulture professionals (UF
Environmental Horticulture students enrolled in Landscape Plant
Establishment). Upon completion of viewing both media formats,
participants were asked to complete a survey. Eighty-six percent of
participants completed and returned surveys. Data were sorted and
analyzed for calculation of mean percent for each response sought.
Results of the survey indicated that, depending upon the topic, a higher
proportion (66% to 93%) of Master Gardeners preferred narrated
PowerPoints in comparison to video clips. However, 60% to 70% of
students preferred video clips to narrated PowerPoints. In reference to
the informative nature of both videos and PowerPoints, >67% of all
respondents rated both media formats between good and excellent;
however, most respondents indicated new information gained was less than
40%. Factoring the costs associated with production (about $1000 per
video vs. essentially no cost for narrated PowerPoints) and participant
responses, narrated PowerPoints appear the best option for conveyng
common horticultural practices."
*In the Panter Back Yard: It
froze last week - not hard enough to kill anything, but enough to knock
down some of the warm-season annuals (impatiens, zinnias, etc.). There
are still quite a few things blooming including the Japanese anemone,
garden phlox, sedum, liatris, and many sages. The containerized annuals
near the house were not affected by the cold temperatures and are still
thriving. The possible exception is the calibrachoa in a hanging basket
- cold air surrounds it at night and it is pretty close to done for the
season! Calibrachoa is closely related to petunias (Solanaceae family)
and prefers warmer temperatures. Tomatoes and raspberries are
ripening nicely and carrots are ready to be harvested any time.
*Upcoming Events:
--International Society of Arboriculture - Rocky Mountain
Chapter, Annual Conference 'The Business of Trees,' September 28-30,
2006, Hilton Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado. Contact:
kathleen@hughesstuart.com.
--Association of
Specialty Cut Flower Growers National conference and Trade Show, October
26-29, 2006, San Jose, California. Contact:
www.ascfg.org.
--American Society for
Plasticulture conference, November 2-5, 2006, San Antonio, Texas.
Contact:
www.plasticulture.org.
--Tree Care Industry
Expo, November 9-11, 2006, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore,
Maryland. Contact: Tree Care Industry Association at 1-800-733-2622.
--Wyoming Groundskeepers
and Growers Association Annual Conference, January 17-19, 2007, Parkway
Plaza Hotel, Casper, Wyoming. Contact:
www.wgga.org.