Cornell Cooperative Extension of the
~~~Commercial Horticulture Electronic Newsletter~~~
Volume 9, Issue 5
May 19, 2009
Participating Counties: Orange * Dutchess * Putnam *
Editor: Rosemarie S. Baglia
http://www.cce.cornell.edu
In this Issue:
- Invasive Plants in the
- Fertilizer Law Passed in
- Soil Survey Maps available
Online
- New Clues Discovered about
Divergent Origin of Sudden Oak Death Pathogen
- Community Sustains Control
of Disease-Causing Ticks
- List of Disinfectants
Registered for Use Against Influenza A Viruses
- Value of
- NYBADBUG Website
- Cooperative Extension
2008-2009 Horticulture Programs for Professionals
- Other Professional
Horticulture Programs of Interest
- About Pesticide
Certification
As of May 18th, Growing Degree Day (GDD) accumulations from two sites
in
A number of pests have been noted on a scouting trip that took place earlier
today. Some of these insects included Boxwood Leafminer
(BLM) in both the adult and pupal stage. Adult
BLM are small orange-colored flies that may be noted flying around the lower
areas of Boxwood shrubs, and BLM pupae may be found in the soft inner tissue of
Boxwood leaves. The “silken homes” of Eastern Tent Caterpillars can
easily be seen at this time of the year as can the late instar
larvae (caterpillars) that are actively feeding on the foliage of fruit-bearing
trees (cherries, apples, etc.). Lacebug nymphs
(Corythuca spp.) were initially noted
emerging about 2 weeks ago in
Boxwood injury in the form of scattered areas of straw brown foliage has also
been noted on several commercial site visits. As is often the case,
excessive use of an irrigation system combined with poor drainage is often a
major contributor here, predisposing the plant to colonization by root
pathogens. Samples taken have revealed the presence of Phytophthora, Fusarium and Pythium.
Finally, we continue to get questions about crabgrass prevention. One
“Integrated” strategy to consider regarding crabgrass prevention may be to seed
those thin areas that are usually host to crabgrass a little later in the
season. To do this, use a high rate (6-10lbs/1000 sq.ft.)
of Perennial Ryegrass (PRG) seed with the hope that this quick-germinating
grass may outcompete the crabgrass if environmental conditions (i.e. adequate
rainfall) are favorable.
Written by Rick Harper & Jerry Giordano, Cornell Cooperative Extension
of Westchester County
Invasive Plants in the Hudson Valley: A Local Update on Research &
Management
The Cornell University Department of Natural Resources and Cornell Cooperative
Extension of Westchester & Dutchess Counties will
feature a one-day research/management update on Invasive Plants in the Hudson
Valley. This program will provide foresters, woodlot managers, arborists/landscapers,
and forest landowners an opportunity to learn more about Integrated Vegetation
Management (IVM), Principles of Bio-control of Invasive Plants such as
Mile-A-Minute, as well as more information about the availability of local
land-management resources. Featured speakers will include Dr. Peter Smallidge from Cornell University and Dr. Judy
Hough-Goldstein from the
This program will take place from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM on Tuesday June 02 at Lasdon Park & Arboretum, Route 35,
For more information or to register for this program, open and complete the
attached program brochure in pdf format and fax to
Nancy Halas at 845-677-6563. Questions about this program may be directed
to Rick Harper at rwh26@cornell.edu or 914-285-2622, or Stephanie Mallozzi at sdm10@cornell.edu or 845-677-8223 x 104.
Written by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Fertilizer Law Passed in Westchester County
After about 2 years of debate, a law regulating fertilizer use in
This law contains many parts. Some of the major provisions have the
following timelines after enactment of this law:
60 Days: No fertilizer application between December 1 – April 1, and
no fertilizer application within 20 feet of any surface water except if a 10
foot wide continuous natural vegetative buffer exists.
120 Days: Nurseries, garden centers, and other merchants selling lawn
fertilizer need to post signage explaining the law and the impact of
fertilizers on water quality.
180 Days: Every person applying for a home improvement license or
upon renewal of their license in
January 1, 2011: No use of phosphorus containing fertilizers by
anyone allowed unless for exempt purposes, and the
sale of phosphorus containing fertilizers is restricted.
All landscape companies doing business in
The full text of the Westchester County fertilizer law may be read by pasting
this link in your browser:
http://meetings.westchesterlegislators.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Download=Attachments&AttachmentID=1203&agencyname=westchestercounty
Written by James Lee, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County
Soil Survey Maps Available Online
Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the
National Cooperative Soil Survey. It is operated by the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides access to the largest natural resource
information system in the world. NRCS has soil maps and data available online
for more than 95 percent of the nation's counties. Maps are available
online for free as a web-viewable resource. Maps may also be downloaded
and printed for a fee. Visit http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm.
Submitted by Jennifer Stengle, Cornell Cooperative
Extension of Putnam County
New Clues Discovered about Divergent Origin of Sudden Oak Death Pathogen
By Alfredo Flores - March 27, 2009
Sudden oak death not only causes nearly instant death to the mighty oak trees
of the western United States, but also has forced many tree nurseries out of
business in that region. But a new Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
discovery about the disease pathogens distant past--perhaps as long ago as half
a million years--may offer clues to scientists about ways to thwart the
disease.
A study led by ARS plant pathologist Nik Grunwald and collaborators at ARS and
Prior to this study, the relatedness of the three distinct clonal
lineages, or genetic descendants, of P. ramorum--EU1,
NA1 and NA2--was not known. The three lineages of P. ramorum
are recent introductions to North America and
But Grunwald and his team, after years of extensive
analysis of DNA sequence data, found that the three lineages are between 1.5
million and 5.4 million years old and have been independently genetically
mutating--altering their genes--for at least 11 percent of their history. From
an evolutionary standpoint, this is a significant amount of time, estimated to
be from 165,000 to 500,000 years.
Their evidence showed that the European lineage may be older than the North
American lineages, and that the three lineages have originated from three
different geographic locations rather than one location, prior to introduction
to Europe and
There now needs to be even greater caution when approving plant material for
introduction into the
Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester
County
Community Sustains Control of Disease-Causing Ticks
By Rosalie Marion Bliss, March 23, 2009
Spring is finally here, and with it comes tick season. Agricultural Research
Service (ARS) scientists are reporting the latest in a series of related
studies on the effectiveness of an ARS technology that reduces tick
populations.
The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, in its nymphal
stage, is the main vector of the pathogen that causes Lyme disease. The lone
star tick, Amblyomma americanum,
is a vector of the pathogen that causes human monocytic
ehrlichiosis. Both diseases are serious human health
problems in large areas of the
A patented and environmentally friendly device called the "4-Poster"
Deer Treatment Bait Station was developed by ARS researchers at the Knipling-Bushland US Livestock Insects Research Laboratory
in
As part of the USDA Northeast Areawide Tick Control
Project, ARS entomologist John F. Carroll with the Animal Parasitic Diseases
Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., led a study in which the 4-Poster technology was
applied to reduce populations of these deer-associated ticks.
Tick counts on
The device consists of four paint rollers that have been impregnated with acaricide, or tick killer. The vertically placed paint
rollers flank each corner of a bin containing corn bait. The animal picks up a
small but sufficient amount of acaricide that kills
ticks when its head, neck and ears rub against the rollers. The study
showed that a community-operated 4-Poster program, when used according to
guidelines, can effectively keep tick populations at low levels, according to
the researchers. The study will appear in an upcoming issue of the
journal Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases.
Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester
County
List of Disinfectants Registered for Use Against Influenza A Viruses
In response to the emerging threat posed by the spread of the 2009-H1N1 Flu,
disinfecting hard surfaces is one way to help stop the spread of this
virus. A list of over 500 antimicrobial products registered by EPA for
use against influenza A viruses on hard surfaces is
available at http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-disinfectants.html.
EPA emphasizes the importance of following label instructions to ensure the
safe and effective use of these products in specific sites, including hospitals
and other health care settings, homes, schools, offices and farms.
Registered disinfectant products are for use on hard, non-porous surfaces, such
as door knobs, handles, tables, floors, etc. EPA also emphasizes that
these products are not to be used on the skin or to be taken orally.
EPA-registered products have label information that states they are effective against
"Influenza A virus."
For more information about EPA-registered antimicrobial products, please visit
EPA's Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/antimicrobials/.
As the CDC stresses, the first line of defense should be to wash your hands
frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based cleaner.
For more information on what you can do to stay healthy, visit www.cdc.gov.
Submitted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester
County
Value of New York Floriculture Production Decreases
UDSA NASS
New York floriculture production ranked seventh in the nation for total
commercial sales in 2008. The overall value of commercial sales for operations
with more than $10,000 in sales decreased 3 percent to $202 million. Bedding
and garden plants continued to be the highest component of the total value of
sales at $107 million. Potted flowering plants were second with a value of
sales $41.6 million, even with previous year. Propagative
materials ranked third at $19.5 million, a decrease of 6 percent from
2007. During 2008, there were 824 growers. The open ground area used to
produce floriculture crops in the state was up 11 percent to 1,184 acres.
Greenhouse space for operators exceeding the $10,000 sales level decreased 9
percent to total 23.3 million square feet in 2008. This decrease brought the
total covered area down to 23.8 million square feet, 9 percent less than 2007.
Nationally, the total wholesale value of floriculture crops grown by operations
with $100,000 or more of sales in the 15-State program is $4.04 billion for
2008, down 2 percent from the revised 2007 total. These largest operations
account for 96 percent of the total value of floriculture crops, but comprise
only 41 percent of all producers. Bedding and Garden plants wholesale value of
bedding and garden plants, at $1.84 billion, is up 1 percent from the previous
year. Potted flowering plants for indoor or patio use are
valued at $698 million, down 1 percent from 2007. The value of 2008 foliage
plant production, at $630 million, is down 4 percent from the previous year.
Value of cut flowers, at $403 million, is down 5 percent, while cut cultivated
greens, at $93.5 million, is down 5 percent from
2007. Additional details are available in “The Floriculture Crop Summary
- 2008”, released April 23, 2009. It is available on the Internet at www.nass.usda.gov or by
calling 518-457-5570.
Submitted by Neil Mattson, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University,
Ithaca, NY
NY BAD BUG Website
Cornell University Invasive Species Research Institute has launched a new
website NYBADBUG. This site has been created to be a single place to find
information on important forest pests in
The goals are to provide the locations where BAD BUGS can be reported and to
provide sources of information on BAD BUGS. Visit http://nyisri.org/nybadbug.aspx.
Submitted by Stephanie D. Mallozzi, 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 2009, 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 2009, date and location TBA
Contact: Rosemarie Baglia 845-344-1234
Other Professional
Horticulture Programs of Interest
NYS Releaf Conference
July 16-18, 2009
Pratt Institute,
Contact: Mary Kramarchyk at 518-402-9412
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
You have received this email because you indicated an interest in hearing about
the information included in
Invasives Brochure at Lasdon
Park (June 02, 2009)2.pdf