Cornell Cooperative Extension of the
~~~Commercial Horticulture Electronic Newsletter~~~
Volume 7, Issue 11
November 20, 2007
Participating Counties: Orange * Dutchess * Putnam *
Editor: Rosemarie S. Baglia
http://www.cce.cornell.edu
In
this Issue:
Perennials Conference Returns to
The 2007 Perennials Conference will once again be held at the elegant Villa
Borghese in
Submitted by Rose Baglia,
Floriculture Survey to be Conducted
The National Agricultural Statistics Service will conduct the annual
Floriculture Production Survey this winter. It will be mailed in early
December and early January to all commercial producers of cut flowers,
flowering and foliage plants, bedding plants, or cultivated florist greens in
New York’s floriculture production in 2006 ranked fifth in the nation for all
commercial sales, which totaled $207 million for selected cut flowers, bedding
plants, potted flowering plants, and foliage plants, according to Stephen Ropel, Director of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics
Service, New York office.
Submitted by Teresa Rusinek,
NYSDEC Pesticide Applicator’s Listserv is Launched
NYSDEC has launched a new Pesticides Update Listserv. The purpose of this
listserv is to send out timely updates on pesticide issues. People that
sign up will be responsible to keep their email address updated for the
list. If your email address changes you will
have to re-subscribe to the listserv.
You can access the listserv from the page link at the end of this blurb.
It is the 10th link under the “Pesticides” heading on the left side of the
page. You can also access it from the link entitled “Pesticides Updates
Listserv” under the heading “More about Pesticides.”
This listserv will be a low volume list with NYSDEC only posting updates.
Subscribers will not be able to post. To subscribe to this listserv go
to: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/39437.html
Written by Stephanie D. Mallozzi, Cornell
Cooperative Extension Dutchess County
Regional
Updates- Season in Review
Westchester County
It is that time of year where we all try to
keep up with the falling leaves and squeeze more work into the ever-shrinking daylight
hours. From a comparison standpoint, the growing season of 2007 has been
quite different than that of 2006. While we would generally classify last
year as being a relatively cooler, wet year, this season brought plenty of warm
weather (GDD totals registered over 200 units more than last year at 3273
units) and generally adequate levels of rainfall (precipitation levels were
around average, totaling 34.09").
Overall, our inquiries about common pest problems that depend heavily on
weather conditions (i.e. fungal disease on turf and ornamentals) to flourish
were significantly less than last year. This was likely due to the drier
weather that we experienced in the early part of the growing season and during
the hot summer months. We noted that many of the ornamentals that we
received calls about in the early part of the growing season that had
experienced some form of winter injury, seemed to mostly recover as the growing
season continued. This included a wide number of ornamental plantings -
especially the broadleaved evergreens like hollies and rhododendrons.
Finally, the insect that easily comes to mind as having made a huge population
rebound would be the hemlock woolly adelgid. It
appears that our generally warm winter fostered a high survival rate of the
insect and once again, it is readily noted on hemlock plantings throughout our
county.
According to our on-campus turf expert Dr. Frank Rossi, Westchester County has
passed what is generally considered the cut-off date (first or second week of
October for certain grass types) for seeding areas of lawn that have
experienced dieback. Seeds may germinate since temperatures are still
above 50 degrees, but the chances of the new, tender seedlings surviving any
type of cold weather (i.e. a killing-frost) could be compromised. One
alternative is to hold off seeding until 1" soil temperatures are 40-45
degrees (mid-late November) so that the soil surface temperatures won't reach
50 degrees where germination can take place. Seeding under these conditions is
known as "dormant seeding" and it is done with the hope that early
spring germination of the grass seed can occur. To help protect against
erosion and to help stabilize the soil surface, it is a good idea to lightly
mulch the area which has just received a dormant seeding application. Plan on following up your dormant seeding with a springtime overseeding since, depending on the site and winter
conditions, certain grass types may only germinate 60-70% of the amount of
seed. Broadcast seeding is typically a suitable method of overseeding, and remember to
lightly rake in the seed. Also, applying higher than recommended amounts
of grass seed (approximately 30% more) can offset the amount of seed that may
not germinate.
Written by Rick Harper,
While residents and garden enthusiasts here
are picking the last of their tomatoes and waiting for frost to beat down their
Dahlias, those of us in the industry don't have the luxury of waiting for
things to die down. Fall cleanup and winter preparations are well under
way.
And there is always that temptation to keep planting until the ground
freezes. But even with conscientious watering and adequate mulch, new
plants will not have enough time to establish root systems. This is
especially important for broad-leaved evergreens exposed to bitter temperatures
and drying winter winds. Each spring we receive numerous phone calls
about ratty looking rhodos and tattered pieris.
So maybe this is a good time to review the use of anti-desiccants. Most
of these products have a waxy base kept in an emulsified state until
applied. With these products, the temperature at time of application is
important so follow label directions carefully. These compounds will
gradually weather off the plants, and can be reapplied as winter temperatures
permit. It is important to apply these products to the upper sides of the
leaves, not the underside. While plants do have some stomates
(small cells capable of opening and closing to exchange gasses) on the upper
sides of the leaves, most stomates are on the
underside of the leaves, and may be blocked-up if coated with anti-desiccants.
An important note about anti-desiccants, and those plants with a waxy bloom:
some juniper and spruces cultivars appear blue because of a waxy coating
already present on their needles. Anti-desiccants may adversely affect
this coloring, so test an unobtrusive area of your plant first!
Interestingly anti-desiccants have not been proven effective in protecting
plants from salt spray damage. For a recent article on ornamental plants,
salt damage and tolerance, see: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-142.pdf
Written by Jennifer Stengle, Cornell Cooperative
Extension Putnam County
Rockland County
This month, many of our consumers are
asking if fall is a good time to prune trees and shrubs. Minor pruning
should be finished by early July. Pruning after this time may spur new
growth that will not properly harden off before cold weather. Trees that
are shutting down for winter do not fight disease as well as they would when
they are actively growing. For this reason, fall pruning should be
avoided.
Winter is a good time to check your deciduous plants for defects since branch
structure is clearly visible. Diseased plants should be pruned as soon as
the problem is noticed. You may prune at any time of the year to prevent
spread of the disease. Prune healthy portions of plants first and
diseased parts last to reduce the spread of diseases. Remove diseased
branches at least six to 12 inches below the affected portion; follow the
procedure above for thinning or heading cuts. If the branch dies within a
few inches of the ground, remove it at ground level. Dip your tools in a
disinfectant after each cut. Dispose of diseased limbs. Do not
compost them.
For more information on proper pruning contact your local Cornell Cooperative
Extension office.
Adapted from CCE Rockland fact sheet “Pruning Trees and Shrubs”
Submitted by Donna Cooke,
Pesticide Certification Exam
Schedule
Fall 2007 – Region 3
COUNTY
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Sullivan
(845-292-6180)
Orange
(845-344-1234)
Westchester/Putnam
(845-278-6738)
Rockland
(845-429-7085)
Seating may be limited. Reservations are required by all counties.
Contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension office where you wish to attend to
sign up.
The DEC charges $50 for the exam fee (If you are attending the pre-exam
training session, please bring a check or money order for the $50 exam with you
that day). For Commercial Applicators, upon passing the exam, the
certification fee is $225 for your first category (except $100 for cat. 3A or
3B only). This certification will be valid for a 3 year period (only 1
year for cat. 3A or 3B only). If adding a category, a letter of
experience or 12 recertification credits are needed to be allowed into the
test: also certification fee to be determined at the time of the exam dependent
on expiration date of current license. For Private Applicators, upon passing
the exam, the fee is $25 for the first applicator and $5 for additional
applicators at the same farm. This certification is good for 5 years.
For more information contact the New York State Department of Environment
Conservation, Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials, Region 3, 21 South
Putt Corners Road, New Paltz,
Cornell Cooperative Extension
2007-2008 Horticulture Programs for Professionals
Cornell Cooperative Extension of the
Perennials Conference
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Villa Borghese,
Contact: Marianna Quartararo (845) 292-6180 X112 or
Donna Cooke (845) 429-7085 X108
Knowledgeable speakers will present a wide range of topics on herbaceous
perennials. A great program (and luncheon) for
designers, growers and other perennial enthusiasts.
*Nursery/Greenhouse Grower's School
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Ulster BOCES Conference Center, New Paltz, NY
Contact: Teresa Rusinek
(845) 340-3990 or Rosemarie Baglia (845) 344-1234
Nursery/Greenhouse Grower’s School has been expanded to include a wider variety
of ornamental crops including perennials, shrubs and bedding plants. Get
the latest information on pest control, cultural control, plant nutrition, weed
suppressive groundcovers, and other hot topics from industry experts.
Spend the day networking with professionals and other growers.
*Urban and Community Forestry Conference
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Westchester County Ctr., White Plains, NY
Contact: Stephanie Mallozzi
(845) 677-8223 x 104 or Rick Harper (914) 285-2622
This program is designed to give tree care professionals, municipalities and
community groups an update on the latest research and practices pertaining to
the care of trees in the urban and community landscapes. This years
featured speaker will be renowned educator, researcher and lecturer, Dr. H.
Dennis P. Ryan III, Professor and Coordinator of the Arboriculture/Urban
Forestry Program, University of Massachusetts. This program will offer a number
of continuing education credits, including ISA CEU's,
NYS DEC Applicator Recertification credits, and SAF Credits for certified
foresters.
*Arborist Certification Training
February 13, 20, 26, 2008, 12:30 - 5 pm
March 04, 2008, 12:30 - 5 pm
Certification Exam: March 28, 2008 at 8:30 am
Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County,
2715 Route 44, Millbrook, NY 12545
Contact: Rick Harper (914) 285-2622 or
Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x104
A training program designed to assist green industry professionals in obtaining
the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist designation.
Topics will include tree biology, pruning, pest management, and safe work
practices. Sessions will also offer ISA Continuing Education Units (CEU's) and NYS DEC Pesticide Recertification credits for
certified arborists and licensed pesticide applicators.
*Landscaping in a Changing Climate
March/April 2008, date and location TBA
Contact: Rosemarie Baglia (845) 344-1234, Marianna Quartararo (845) 292-6180, or Jennifer Stengle
(845) 278-6738
Our changing climate poses some challenges for
landscapers. This program will address the predicted climatic changes and
issues surrounding landscaping for extremes in temperature and moisture such as
stormwater management, drought tolerant and moisture
tolerant plants, building healthy soils, and energy efficient landscaping
techniques.
*Christmas Tree Twilight Meeting
July 2008, date and location TBA
Contact: Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x104,
Teresa Rusinek (845) 340-3990, or Rosemarie Baglia (845) 344-1234
This is a hands-on, in the field program focusing on professional Christmas
tree production issues.
*Sports Turf Program
Spring/Summer 2008, date and location TBA
Contact: Rosemarie Baglia (845) 344-1234
Spanish for Landscapers and Horticulture Professionals
Winter 2008, date and location TBA
Contact: Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x104
Other Professional Horticulture Programs of Interest
*2007 Green Industry
Show- Tree, Nursery & Landscape, Turf, and Floriculture Conference
November 13 - 15, 2007
Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Contact: NYSTA at (800) 873-8873 or visit www.nysta.org
*40th Annual Professional Turf and Landscape Conference
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Westchester County Center., White Plains, NY
Contact: NYSTLA at (914) 993-9455 or visit www.nystla.com
Sponsored by the New York State Turf & Landscape Association. One of the largest programs for the green industry in
*Cornell Golf Pest Management Short Course
January, 2008
Cornell Campus,
*NYSTA SE Regional Turf Conference
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Contact: NYSTA at (800) 873-8873, visit www.nysta.org, or email jill@nysta.org
Sponsored by the New York State Turfgrass
Association. There will be a trade show and a number of program tracks
running concurrently, including Building Your Skills, Golf Turf,
Lawn/Landscape.
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.
NYS Releaf Conference
July 24-26, 2008
Contact: Mary Kramarchyk at (518) 402-9412
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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