Cornell Cooperative Extension of the
~~~Commercial Horticulture Electronic Newsletter~~~
Volume 9, Issue 6
June 17, 2009
Participating Counties: Orange * Dutchess * Putnam *
Editor: Rosemarie S. Baglia
http://www.cce.cornell.edu
In this Issue:
·
· Christmas Tree
Twilight Meeting
· Cornell Summer Turf Field
Tour Registration OPEN!
· Cornell University Hosts
Annual Floriculture Field Day
· NYS Integrated Pest
Management Program to Hold IPM In-depth Workshop
· Tree Pest Update with George
Hudler
· Viburnum
Leaf Beetle Found in Rockland County
· DEC AND PARTNERS TO TRACK
POSSIBLE SPREAD OF INVASIVE BEETLE -
· ALERT: Downy Mildew on Basil
· Cooperative Extension
2008-2009 Horticulture Programs for Professionals
· Other Professional
Horticulture Programs of Interest
· About Pesticide
Certification
· County Commercial
Horticulture Educators and Contact Information
Westchester County Seasonal Update – June 2009
Since March 15, our current precipitation levels total 7.42”
and while that is still around 6” less than the “normal” total amount of
rainfall for the spring-early summer, it is important to note that we have
received over 1/3 of this rainfall since the beginning of this month. In
other words, June has indeed been wet! As of June 16, Growing
Degree-Day (GDD) totals from our two sites register at 562
(Harrison) and 624 (
Dollar spot (the most common turfgrass disease on
golf courses), Red thread, Yellow patch and a number of Leaf spot diseases have
been observed/reported on grass. We have also
received a number of foliar disease samples on deciduous trees including
Anthracnose on Oak. As one would expect, many of these and other disease
conditions that we observe on landscapes throughout
As indicated last month, it is important to be monitoring for the wide number
of insect/arthropod pests that are active at this time in the growing
season. The adult stage of Bronze birch borer (BBB), Birch leafminer (BLM) and Azalea whitefly can all currently be
observed (and managed) at present. As noted last month, it is also
important to follow the emergence stages of the types of pertinent scale
insects that may be pests of landscape plants. Based on scouting that we
performed in central Westchester County yesterday, crawlers of Cottony Taxus scale and Azalea Bark scale appear to have not yet
emerged, while many other crawlers have already started to settle (or may be
settled), including White prunicola scale and Juniper
scale. We also received a report about Privet rust mite, so if you
suspect that you are (or may be) contending with an infested Privet hedge, now
is the time to scout and consider implementing a management strategy.
Written by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County
Christmas Tree Twilight Meeting
Our Annual Christmas Tree Twilight Meeting will be held from 6-8:30 pm on July
9 at Farm Side Acres, Christmas Tree Farm in
Submitted by: Rose Baglia, Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Orange County
Cornell Summer Turf Field Tour Registration OPEN!
It is time to register for the Cornell Turfgrass
Team’s Summer Field Tours being held across NY State. Spend a few hours at a
location convenient for you and at an affordable price walking and talking with
the Cornell Team of Frank Rossi, Jennifer Grant, Marty Petrovic
and Dan Peck.
June 24:
July 15: Cornell Turfgrass Research Tour
August 12:
Visit the Cornell Turfgrass Website at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/turf/.
Submitted by: Rose Baglia Cornell Cooperative
Extension of Orange County
Tree Pest Update with George Hudler
On July 14 Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County, in conjunction with the
Tri-County Nursery/Landscape Association, will host an evening with renowned
expert in tree pests and diseases, Dr. George Hudler.
Dr. Hudler is the Chairman of the Department of Plant
Pathology at
The program will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Orange County
Cooperative Extension office: 3rd floor conference room,
Submitted by: Rose Baglia
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County
Cornell University Hosts Annual Floriculture Field Day
Cornell University’s Annual Floriculture Field Day will be held Tuesday July
21, 2009 at the Cornell campus in
Written by Neil Mattson, Department of Horticulture,
NYS Integrated Pest Management Program to Hold IPM In-depth Workshop
NYS IPM will hold their 2nd annual IPM In-depth workshop from
12:30-5:00 on July 20, 2009 in conjunction with Cornell’s Floriculture Field
Day. This year’s hands-on topics are:
Nematodes in the Greenhouse and Nursery - In this session we'll take a
look at the increasing problems with foliar nematodes and root knot nematodes-
both the symptoms and the tiny, squirmy worms under microscopes! We'll
also investigate the very common free-living nematodes that can be found in all
soils and beneficial nematodes that can be used to help control greenhouse
pests.
Aphid ABC's - Aphids may not be your #1 pest, but they often seem to
blow up out of nowhere at really inconvenient times. How does that
happen? Where do they come from? What kinds of aphids are common in
greenhouses, why can it be important to know which kinds of aphids are on your
crop, and how do you tell them apart? How can you detect an infestation
before it gets serious? What pesticides are best for which aphids, and
why? What sorts of predators and parasitoids can be used against aphids,
and how do they work? We'll try to cover these topics. Feel free to
bring in some aphid-infested plants and we'll see if we can identify them.
All About Alkalinity - What is your water’s alkalinity? Why is
alkalinity, not pH, the #1 factor affecting nutritional disorders?
How come your alkalinity changes throughout the year? What is the best
fertilizer choice for your alkalinity? How does alkalinity reduce
effectiveness of some pesticides and how can you correct for this? In
this session, we’ll learn the answer to these questions through ‘pHun’ hands-on chemistry exercises. Be sure to bring
a water sample from your operation (rinsed 20 ounce plastic soda bottles work
fine).
The Doctor is IN - Bring in plants that have ‘issues’ and our team of
experts, including your fellow growers, will diagnose what the problem
is. We’ll all learn something! IPM In-depth costs $45, which
includes a parking permit for the day, handouts, and refreshments.
Attendance is limited to 45 participants. 3.0 DEC pesticide
recertification credits applied for.
For registration information, go to the Cornell Greenhouse website - http://www.greenhouse.cornell.edu/calendar/200907ipm_workshop.htm#program
. For additional information, contact Betsy Lamb at eml38@cornell.ed or (607) 254-8800.
Written by Elizabeth Lamb, Ornamentals IPM Coordinator, NYS IPM Program at
Viburnum Leaf Beetle Found in Rockland
County
The Horticulture Diagnostic Lab at CCE Rockland collected their first Viburnum Leaf Beetle (VLB). To prevent and minimize damage
resulting from VLB, choose plant varieties that are resistant to VLB. For a
list of susceptible and resistant species, visit www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/suscept.html.
The single most effective measure to take to limit beetle populations is to
look for egg-infested twigs between early October and mid-April and prune them
out. Egg-laying sites are easiest to spot when viburnums
are leafless.
Also, encourage beneficial insects by avoiding broad-spectrum insecticides and
maintaining diverse species of plants for beneficial insect habitat near viburnums.. Several predators feed
on VLB larvae including lady beetle adults and larvae, lacewing larvae and spined soldier bugs nymphs. The lady beetle adults and spined soldier bug adults also eat adult viburnum leaf beetles. According to Cornell’s Viburnum Leaf Beetle Citizen Science program, initial
Cornell research on such biological control indicate that augmenting natural
populations of these predators may dramatically limit viburnum
leaf beetle damage. Current research shows that the larvae does not drop from
the leaves to the soil to pupate, they crawl down the tree.
Some insecticides are registered for use to control VLB. Most (including
organic pyrethrins) contain contact poisons which can
also kill beneficial insects that help keep viburnum
leaf beetles in check. Alternatively, organic pesticides derived from the
fungus Saccharopolyspora (spinosad)
and insecticidal soap have effectively knocked back viburnum leaf beetle larvae with less damage to beneficial
insects. Both spinosad and insecticidal soap are
contact pesticides that require direct contact with the pest.
The most effective way to use contact pesticides is to spray when larvae first
emerge (the younger the better), usually in late April or early May. Before
spraying, inspect plants to make sure larvae are present and be certain to make
a thorough application that directly contacts the larvae which feed on the
undersides of young and emerging leaves. Spraying adults or eggs is far less
effective.
Initial field trials conducted by Dr. Paul Weston also indicate that
horticultural oil sprays applied to egg laying sites might reduce egg hatch by
75-80%. Horticultural oil is highly refined petroleum oil that is mixed with
water and is sprayed on to coat and suffocate eggs. It
is most effective when a high rate of oil (4%) is used. However, this high rate
of oil can burn plant foliage so apply only before viburnum
leaves emerge; mid-April is usually a safe time to make the application because
the leaves usually emerge in early May. Adjust the application time to suit
plant development in your area. Check local regulations, carefully read
labels and follow instructions precisely. Check with your local Cooperative Extension
office for more information.
Submitted by Donna Alese Cooke, Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Rockland County
DEC AND PARTNERS TO TRACK POSSIBLE SPREAD OF INVASIVE BEETLE
Emerald Ash Borer Traps Are Being Deployed Throughout the State
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), along
with other federal and state agencies, is setting baited traps in ash trees
across upstate New York in an effort to search for possible infestations of the
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a tree-killing beetle. The public will soon be seeing
the purple prism traps deployed in treelines
throughout
It has been documented that a main route that enables this insect, as well as
other invasive species, to spread is from moving firewood from one place to another.
That is why in 2008,
The EAB is a significant threat to New York States ash trees, said State
Forester Robert K. Davies. While the EAB has not yet been positively documented
within
DECs approach to monitoring for the insect is two-fold.
First, traps to attract and catch the EAB are being hung in ash trees within a
100-mile radius from previously documented EAB locations in
The bright purple, prism-shaped
EAB traps are made of sticky-coated corrugated plastic and contain scented
lures. After 45 days, the traps will be inspected and samples collected.
After 90 days, the traps will be collected and removed from the tree. If
visitors encounter an EAB trap hanging in an ash tree while at a park or state
forest, please help the survey effort by leaving it in place.
DEC is participating in the survey with the state Department of Agriculture and
Markets, the state Office of Parks, and Recreation and Historic Preservation,
the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) and other volunteer organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and
land trusts.
The EAB (photo: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html
) is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash
tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash. Damage is caused by
the larvae, which feed in tunnels called galleries in the phloem just below the
bark. The serpentine galleries disrupt water and nutrient transport, causing
branches, and eventually the entire tree, to die. Since its discovery in
southeastern
The EAB has metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen; it
is small enough to fit easily on a penny. Adult beetles leave distinctive
D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk. Other
signs of infection include tree canopy dieback, yellowing, extensive sprouting
from the roots and trunk (called epicormic shoots)
and browning of leaves. Infested trees may also exhibit woodpecker damage from
larvae extraction. Individual, infested trees can be saved by applying specific
insecticides but this treatment is neither practicable nor environmentally
appropriate to consider for infested forests or large groups of trees.
While susceptibility to the EAB cannot be eliminated, steps that can be taken
to slow its advancement include: Adhering to
firewood regulations (
www.dec.ny.gov/animals/28722.html) by not importing untreated firewood to
New York from any other state or country and refraining from moving firewood
more than 50 miles from its source. (Buy firewood where you plan to use
it); Checking ash trees for any signs of EAB damage; and Reporting
suspected EAB damage to DEC Forest Health at 518-402-9419.
For more information, visit USDAs EAB page at www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/emerald_ash_b/index.shtml
and www.emeraldashbor.info
Submitted by: Rose Baglia, Cornell Cooperative
Extension of Orange County
ALERT: Downy Mildew on Basil
From Margaret Tuttle McGrath, Department of Plant Pathology and
Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University
Downy mildew of basil is a new, destructive disease that is expected to
occur routinely in the USA as it has been doing in Europe since first
occurrence. In 2008 downy mildew was confirmed in both field- and
greenhouse-grown basil in many states: NC, PA, NJ, NY, MA, NC, KS, and MO.
Likely it occurred elsewhere but was not observed. Growers generally did not realize
their basil had a disease because the most noticeable symptom on affected
plants was yellowing, which was assumed to be the result of a nutritional
problem. The basil downy mildew pathogen can be spread in contaminated seed, in
infected basil leaves, and as wind-dispersed spores. Downy mildew also was
observed recently on ornamental plants related to basil, in particular coleus
and salvia. These plants all belong to the Lamiaceae
family, which includes basils (Ocimum spp.),
mints (Menta spp.), sages (Salvia spp.)
and other aromatics. Recently the coleus and basil downy mildew pathogens were
demonstrated to be genetically different; therefore, these ornamental plants
are no longer considered potential alternative hosts. However, there are many
ornamental basils that are also hosts to the pathogen
affecting basil grown for use as an herb.
With basil downy mildew now established in
To report your observations and see those of others, go to http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwvp1mHxmowsEd8Sdi4coNQ.
Submitted by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative
Extension of
Cornell
Cooperative Extension
2008-2009 Horticulture Programs for Professionals
Pesticide Recertification Credits will be awarded at programs marked * pending
NYS DEC approval. In addition, ISA, SAF, and NYS licensed landscape
architect continuing education credits (CEU's) may be
available for certain programs. Please contact the facilitating educator
for more information on specific programs. All dates subject to change.
*Christmas Tree Twilight Meeting
July 9, 2009 at Farm Side Acres,
*Sports Turf Program
Spring/Summer 2009, date and location TBA
Contact: Rosemarie Baglia 845-344-1234
Other Professional
Horticulture Programs of Interest
2009 Cornell Turfgrass Program Field
June 24:
July 15: Cornell Turfgrass Research Tour
August 12:
For more information contact Dr. Frank Rossi at 607-255-1629, fsr3@cornell.edu, or visit www.hort.cornell.edu/turf/events/index.htm.
NYS Releaf Conference
July 16-18, 2009, Pratt Institute,
For more information contact: Mary Kramarchyk at
518-402-9412, or visit http://www.nysurbanforestrycouncil.com/conference_2009.pdf.
Cornell Annual Floriculture Field Day and Kathy Pufahl Container Competition. An
In-depth IPM workshop will be held the evening before. For more
information, contact Dolores at 607-2555-1789 or visit www.greenhouse.cornell.edu ,
Certified Landscape Technician Training
Contact: NYSTLA at 914-993-9455 or visit www.nystla.com.
An optional national testing program to recognize proficiency
of qualified landscape professionals.
Certified Nursery Professional Training Program
Contact: In Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester:
Scott Olivieri, 914-682-4224;
In Orange, Rockland & Ulster: Mark Masseo
845-658-9148
By passing this exam you can earn the title Certified Nursery Professional
(CNP). Contact your New York State Nursery and Landscape Association,
listed above, for more details.
If you apply pesticides, including weed-killers, weed and
feed products, insecticides, fungicides, or tick control products to customer's
properties for hire, you or someone in your company must be a New York State
Certified Pesticide Applicator through the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation and have your business registered. There are
now three levels of commercial certification: applicator, technician, and
apprentice.
For Commercial
Applicators
To be eligible to take the
exams to become certified, you must meet one of the following requirements:
· 3 out of the past 5 years of
verifiable experience as an apprentice working in the category applicant is
seeking certification in; or
· 3 out of the past 5 years as
a certified private applicator in a corresponding private category; or
· Certification in another
State with which New York has reciprocity; or
· if seeking certification in
the Sales Category - At least 3 years experience in the sale of pesticides, or
can demonstrate, through applicable training certifications or education
degrees, that one possesses appropriate technical background.
Certified
Pesticide Technician
· be at
least 17 years of age.
· 2 years of verifiable
experience as an apprentice; or
· completion of a 30-hr.
training course, approved by the Department or a baccalaureate or associate
degree from an accredited college or university in the area seeking
certification. These are offered at the following:
Westchester Community College: (914) 785-6830
Dutchess Community College: (845) 431-8904
ATC: (845) 657-7027
For technicians, once certified, desiring full applicator status the following
documentation is required: a letter indicating 2 yrs. of experience or 1 yr. of
experience plus 12 recertification credits. Experience and recertification
credits must be category or sub-category specific.
Pesticide
Apprentice
· Must be at
least 16 years of age.
· Must receive 40 hours of
pesticide use experience under supervision of a certified applicator and a
minimum of 8 hours of instruction on topics outlined in Section 325.18 of Part
325 Rules & Regulations relating to the application of pesticides, before
being able to apply general use pesticides under the off-site direct
supervision of a certified applicator.
· Documentation of the above
must be maintained by the certified applicator, and include: name & address
of apprentice; date(s) of instruction or observation; content of training and
certification category; instructor's name and certification identification
number; and an evaluation of the competency of the apprentice.
For Private
Applicators:
· Must be at
least 17 years old.
· Have at least one year of
full-time experience within the last five years in the use of pesticides in the
category in which certification is requested – OR
· Has completed a 30-hr.
training course, or has received an associate's or higher level college degree
in the area of which certification is requested.
For further information on eligibility rules and regulations, and fees, contact
the NYSDEC Region 3 Pesticide Staff at (845) 256-3097.
Eligible candidates for certification must attend a training session, and pass
two examinations, administered by the NYSDEC and held in conjunction with
Cornell Cooperative Extension. Once you determine you are eligible for
certification, contact your county's Cornell Cooperative Extension office for
information on registering for the training class and exams. Contact your local
CCE educator to find out training and exam dates for your county in the
Cornell Cooperative Extension County Commercial Horticulture Educators
Dutchess: Stephanie Mallozzi, sdm10@cornell.edu, 845-677-8223 x 104
Orange: Rosemarie Baglia, rsb22@cornell.edu,
845-344-1234
Putnam: Diane Olsen, dko3@cornell.edu, or Jennifer Stengle,
jjs95@cornell.edu, 845-278-6738
Rockland: Donna Cooke, dmc72@cornell.edu, or Paul Trader,
pwt2@cornell.edu, 845-429-7085
Ulster: Teresa Rusinek, tr28@cornell.edu,
845-340-3990
Westchester: Rick Harper, rwh26@cornell.edu, 914-946-3005
Sullivan: Marianna Quartararo,
mdq2@cornell.edu, 845-292-6180 x 112
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mention of trade names and commercial
products is for educational purposes; no discrimination is intended and no
endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied.
Pesticide recommendations are for informational purposes only and
manufacturers' recommendations change. Read the manufacturers'
instructions carefully before use. Cornell Cooperative Extension and
Some of the links provided are not maintained by Cornell Cooperative Extension
and
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